Switzerland Telegraph 1852 (b/w photo)

Illustration of the Telegraph, vision of the Postheiri 20/1852. In 1848, the transmission of news through electrical wire lines was still in its first stage of development in Switzerland. The cantons and business associations soon called for the introduction of this new means of communication. The Upper House (Bundesrat), however, was reluctant at first because it wanted to avoid the additional financial burden on the federal government. After a non-interest-bearing loan of 200,000 francs had been made available by private entrepreneurs, he took over the telegraph business in 1851, based on Art. 21 BV, which was generally authorized by the Confederation to set up “public works”.