Tellevent .28Detroit.2C Michigan.2C U.S..29 Telephone newspaper

illustration tellevent promotional article (1907)

the tellevent (also spelled televent) first organized attempt develop subscription telephone newspaper service in united states. name contraction of phrase: tells event mind s eye. main promoter michigan state telephone company s general manager, james f. land, had been influenced telefon hírmondó, although company did not license system s technology.

test transmissions throughout state of michigan began in 1906, between theatres, churches, light guard armory, new penobscot inn , residences of several officials of company . additional test transmissions continued through 1908. in march 1907, american tellevent company incorporated in michigan, , land resigned michigan state telephone company, had worked 30 years, in order work full-time founded michigan tellevent company.

an review reported service used subscriber s existing telephone lines, , had been installed in 100 detroit homes, connecting them local theaters. extensive daily program envisioned, plans there televent @ stock exchange, banks, @ band concerts on belle isle, race track, club houses, hotels, library, political headquarters, court rooms, in short, wherever public wishes go . planned option connect special services, such ballgames , speeches. subscription costs estimated around $2 month, service provided private homes, businesses, hotels, , hospitals.

despite hopes expand nationally, tellevent never advanced beyond exploratory stage, , american tellevent company s business charter dissolved in 1909.