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Service Electric was started by John and Margaret Walson in the mid-1940s to sell, install, and repair General Electric appliances in the Mahanoy City area of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. In 1947, they began selling television sets; however, it was nearly impossible to receive the three Philadelphia network stations in Mahanoy City because the town is surrounded by mountains. Due to the geographical interference, Mr. Walson decided to erect a utility pole on top of a nearby mountain, placed an antenna on top of the pole, and thus demonstrated television. In an attempt to increase sales, he connected the tower site to their appliance store by using wire/cable and modified signal boosters.In June of 1948, he successfully connected a nearby tower site to the appliance store as well as to several homes along the cable path. His experiences as a PP&L field employee and his technical degree in electronics proved beneficial in starting the nation's first CATV system. People who lived in the small mountainous towns of northeastern Pennsylvania could now receive three Philadelphia television channels in their homes, while others congregated outside the Walson's appliance store to view this new communication medium. Cable TV was born!The late John Walson was recognized by the U.S. Congress and the National Cable Television Association as the founder of the cable television industry. Mr. Walson can also claim many other firsts, including being the first cable operator to use microwave to import distant television stations, the first to use coaxial cable for improved picture quality, and the first to distribute pay television programming. HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO CONNECTIONSThis is your newsletter and we welcome your contributions. If you have something you would like to contribute like photos, event news, employee accomplishments or new ideas, please submit your information to be considered for publication to: newsletter@secv.comIN THIS ISSUE ■ Mr. Walson■ 75th Celebrations■ System News■ New Hires■ Christmas MessageHAPPY 75THSERVICE ELECTRIC!Employee Newsletter Fourth Quarter 2023 | Volume 9.4Birdsboro Office Hazleton Office Sunbury Office