This whole discussion brings back long faded memories. My grandfather, and his two brothers, between them retired from AT&T with 100 years service. They were written up in the company magazine Long Lines back in the thirties. They were long distance linemen, involved in building the first transcontinental telephone line in the early part of the 20th century. They had to string the lines, and also "balance" the lines with components to maximize distance, eliminate "ringing" and echos. Grandpa Duggan also packed a pistol! because he was the Foreman and carried the crew payroll with him as they traveled for weeks at a time out in the boondocks! Those were the days! Of course they would roll over in their graves at the state of the company today!