Tag Archives: History
5th September 1959: The UK’s First Direct Dial Long Distance Call from a Phone Box
In these days of instant mobile communication it may surprise readers to know that fifty years ago you couldn’t even make a telephone call without the help of an operator. For a number of years after the telephone service was first introduced if you wanted to make a call, even a local one, you lifted [...]
Full StoryForth Road Bridge Opened by the Queen
At the time the bridge was Europe’s longest suspension bridge and it linked Edinburgh to Perth across the River Forth cutting more than an hour off the journey and opening up Fife to business in the central belt and England. On the 4th September 1964 day tens of thousands of spectators of whom I was [...]
Full StoryThe First Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) Opens for Business on 2nd September 1969
The first automatic teller machine (ATM) made its public debut, dispensing cash to customers at Chemical Bank in Rockville, New York. That first machine was only able to give out cash, but in 1971, an ATM that could handle multiple functions, including providing customers’ account balances, was introduced ATMs went on to revolutionize the banking [...]
Full StoryPrincess Diana Dies in Paris crash
I’m not going to say too much about this sad anniversary. I met her twice, once when she came to open a new ward at a hospital on the Isle of Skye, and the other time when she attended a concert in Edinburgh. I found her an interesting and interested person. Unlike her husband, Prince [...]
Full StoryThe Panama Canal Finally Opened on 15th August 1914
The concept of a canal goes back almost to the day that European explorers first landed on the narrow land bridge that links North and South America. They realised that the abundant natural lakes and waterways offered a unique opportunity to create a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans but it wasn’t until [...]
Full StoryThis is Our 100th Posting!
Yes, its 100 not out! So probably time to pat ourselves on the back and remind the world – and ourselves – what this blog is all about! In short the intention is to develop this site into a resource centre for small and medium sized businesses. In doing so we will present a wide [...]
Full StoryFidel Castro was born on Friday 13th August 1926
Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro was born in the Oriente province of eastern Cuba. He is still alive but it can only be a matter of time before his control is finally broken and Cuba again becomes a member of the international community. When that happens there are going to be massive business opportunities so it’s [...]
Full Story
