The Western Electric Manufacturing Company was established in 1869 and became a major manufacturer of telecommunications equipment. It played a crucial role in the development of the telephone industry, producing devices such as the first commercial telephone and various components for the Bell System. In addition to telecommunications, Western Electric expanded into other areas, including military and industrial equipment. The company was known for its innovative production techniques and was a pioneer in the use of assembly line methods. It eventually became a subsidiary of AT&T and contributed significantly to the growth of the American telecommunications infrastructure.