In 1880, Bell Telephone Company was incorporated in Massachusetts as American Bell Telephone Company.<ref>[http://www.telcomhistory.org/vm/histories.shtml Telecommunications Virtual Museum]</ref> In 1882, American Bell Telephone Company purchased majority shares of the Western Electric Company which became its primary supplier for telephone equipment.<ref>[http://www.corp.att.com/history/milestones.html Milestones in AT&T History]</ref> | In 1880, Bell Telephone Company was incorporated in Massachusetts as American Bell Telephone Company.<ref>[http://www.telcomhistory.org/vm/histories.shtml Telecommunications Virtual Museum]</ref> In 1882, American Bell Telephone Company purchased majority shares of the Western Electric Company which became its primary supplier for telephone equipment.<ref>[http://www.corp.att.com/history/milestones.html Milestones in AT&T History]</ref> |