The History of ADT
From 1867–Today:
The #1 security provider in America has a remarkable history, which began with a stock ticker. Check out all the changes ADT has gone through over the years.
1867
Gold and Stock Telegraph Company
Edward Calahan invents the stock ticker and forms the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company. This opens the door for New York brokerage firms to get up-to-the-minute information from the stock exchange floor. The Gold and Stock Telegraph Company also develops a messenger system that sends instructions to and from the stock exchange floor.
1870
The Break-In and
New Security System
The president of the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company, Elisha Andrews, wakes up and finds a burglar in his home. Calahan creates a telegraph-based alert system for Andrews' home and eventually connects 50 of Andrews' neighbors to a central station where all the alert boxes are monitored. This system quickly expands throughout New York City.
1874
American District
Telegraph is Formed
Calahan helps create the American District Telegraph (ADT) Company, which consolidates over 50 local alert system companies in the New York area.
1870s–80s
Police and Fire Alerts
ADT expands its messenger and alarm services to include standardized police and fire alerts, in addition to messenger services for calling doctors and carriages.
Early 1900s
Rise of the Roundsmen
ADT develops a service that sends messenger watchmen, also known as “roundsmen,” around neighborhoods. The roundsmen’s job is to check in at signal boxes at designated times, which indicates to ADT headquarters that neighborhoods are secure.
1901
Western Union Buys ADT
The President of Western Union, Colonel R.C. Clowry, buys a controlling interest in 80 Direct Messenger Companies, including the original New York-based ADT. He consolidates these businesses under the name American District Telegraph. Clowry sees the long-term benefit of security services and the eventual decline of messenger services, so he separates the two within the company and makes ADT the security services branch of the business.
Early 1909
Purchased by AT&T
In an effort to expand its communication network, AT&T; buys Western Union and its subsidiary, ADT
1914
AT&T Monopoly
Just five years after the Western Union acquisition, the Justice Department declares AT&T; a monopoly and forces it to sell its interests in Western Union, ADT, and other subsidiary companies.
1920s–1930s
Technological Expansion
ADT continues to expand and create new technology for burglar and fire alarm systems.
1964
ADT Monopoly
ADT controls over 80% of the security business in the U.S. and is ruled a monopoly by the Justice Department. As a result, ADT is forced to adopt a uniform national price list and service offerings.
1969
ADT Goes Public
ADT becomes a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange, which prompts expansion overseas.
1970s
The Central Station
ADT continues to revolutionize the security industry with new technology and creates the first automated "Central Station" call center.
1974
Microcomputing
ADT introduces microcomputer based security systems, which replace the old telephone network based call boxes.
1980s
Safewatch
ADT continues to transform by introducing Unimode fire systems, Safewatch residential systems, and the central station monitoring, which is the focus of ADT today.
1984
Renamed ADT Security
Lord Ashcroft, the owner of the Bermuda-based Hawley Group, Ltd., buys Crime Control, Inc., the 4th largest security company in the U.S. Later that year, he buys ADT, which merges with Crime Control Inc. Ashcroft renames the company ADT Security Systems, Inc.
1994
One Million Customers
ADT adds 180,000 new customers and reaches the 1 million customer mark after 120 years in business.
1997
Purchased by Tyco
Tyco International Ltd. acquires ADT. Lord Ashcroft sells most of his company stock and joins the Tyco board of directors.
2010
Broadview Becomes ADT
ADT pays $2 billion to acquire Broadview Security (formerly Brinks), the 2nd largest security company in the U.S.
2012
ADT Goes Public (Again)
Tyco International introduces ADT as an independent, publicly traded company.
Today
America's #1 Security Provider
ADT continues to be the #1 security provider in America, offering business and residential security monitoring services to over 6 million customers across the U.S.
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