Serving a Wired World

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Silicon Valley is often seen as the pinnacle of modern communication technology, yet the pressures faced by today's tech workers echo those of earlier laborers in the telecommunications sector of the early 20th century. As the Victorian era waned, affluent Britons increasingly relied on the telegraph for efficient communication, which masked the labor behind its operation, similar to our current dependence on social media. This work explores the history of information service roles that were integral to maintaining the liberal order in early 20th-century Britain. Katie Hindmarch-Watson illustrates how the engineers and administrators behind these telecommunications systems adhered to prevailing gender norms and social hierarchies, reflecting a master-servant dynamic in their network designs. Despite efforts to render telegraphists and telephone operators invisible, these workers recognized their vital contributions to modern society and actively challenged their marginalized positions. They engaged in labor strikes and even participated in nonconventional sexual exchanges, transforming a seemingly neutral telecommunications network into a revolutionary force. Their actions resonate with contemporary struggles against the status quo, highlighting the persistent relevance of these historical dynamics in today's digital landscape.