Standard Telecommunication Laboratories
Encyclopedia
Standard Telecommunication Laboratories was the UK Research Laboratories for the Standard Telephones and Cables
Company (STC).
Initially based in Enfield, North London, and moved to Harlow Essex in 1959. At this time STC was part of ITT
.
It is now recognised as the birthplace of optical fibre communications, for it is here that Sir Charles K. Kao
, George Hockham
and others pioneered the use of single-mode optical fibre made from low loss glass.
In 2009 Charles Kao was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics, for pioneering optical fibre communication.
Another famous name associated with STL is Alec Reeves
, previously famous for inventing Pulse Code Modulation while working at the Paris labs of the parent company ITT in 1938, and for his invention of the wartime bomber navigation system OBOE. Alec headed a team working on various means of optical communication, prior to the emergence of glass optical fibre as the leading contender.
In 1991 the laboratories became a part of Bell Northern Research (BNR), following the acquisition of STC by Northern Telecom, which later became Nortel
.
Nortel
has subsequently gone into Chapter 11 and been broken up and sold off. The last remnants of the laboratories at the Harlow, Essex site, have now disappeared.
Standard Telephones and Cables
Standard Telephones and Cables Ltd was a British telephone, telegraph, radio, telecommunications and related equipment R&D manufacturer. During its history STC invented and developed several groundbreaking new technologies including PCM and optical fibres.The company began life in London as...
Company (STC).
Initially based in Enfield, North London, and moved to Harlow Essex in 1959. At this time STC was part of ITT
ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation is a global diversified manufacturing company based in the United States. ITT participates in global markets including water and fluids management, defense and security, and motion and flow control...
.
It is now recognised as the birthplace of optical fibre communications, for it is here that Sir Charles K. Kao
Charles K. Kao
The Honorable Sir Charles Kuen Kao, GBM, KBE, FRS, FREng is a pioneer in the development and use of fiber optics in telecommunications...
, George Hockham
George Hockham
George Alfred Hockham is an engineer who has worked for over 40 years in theoretical analysis and design techniques applied to the solution of electromagnetic problems covering many different antenna types for radar, electronic warfare and communication systems...
and others pioneered the use of single-mode optical fibre made from low loss glass.
In 2009 Charles Kao was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics, for pioneering optical fibre communication.
Another famous name associated with STL is Alec Reeves
Alec Reeves
Alec Harley Reeves, CBE was a British scientist best known for his invention of pulse-code modulation . He was awarded 82 patents.-Early life:...
, previously famous for inventing Pulse Code Modulation while working at the Paris labs of the parent company ITT in 1938, and for his invention of the wartime bomber navigation system OBOE. Alec headed a team working on various means of optical communication, prior to the emergence of glass optical fibre as the leading contender.
In 1991 the laboratories became a part of Bell Northern Research (BNR), following the acquisition of STC by Northern Telecom, which later became Nortel
Nortel
Nortel Networks Corporation, formerly known as Northern Telecom Limited and sometimes known simply as Nortel, was a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada...
.
Nortel
Nortel
Nortel Networks Corporation, formerly known as Northern Telecom Limited and sometimes known simply as Nortel, was a multinational telecommunications equipment manufacturer headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada...
has subsequently gone into Chapter 11 and been broken up and sold off. The last remnants of the laboratories at the Harlow, Essex site, have now disappeared.