Business: Ericsson to I. T. & T.

In 1923 Col. Sosthenes (Greek for "life strength") Behn went to Spain where he saw an opportunity to make his International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation more international. In Madrid he encountered much excitement. Bidding against him for the Spanish telephone system were Ericsson Co. of Sweden and Siemens & Halske of Germany. Col. Behn cabled for a corps of U. S. engineers, accountants and typists, shut his troops in a hotel suite, sat up many a night writing newly modified contracts. After strenuous haggling that lasted nearly a year. Col. Behn obtained ex-King...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!