Report: The history and evolution of quality in AT&T

The fundamental concepts and methods of quality control and quality assurance were developed in AT&T. For over 100 years researchers in AT&T Bell Laboratories, managers in AT&T, and engineering and operating personnel in Western Electric (now AT&T Technologies) have developed, applied, and improved methods for inspection, quality control, continuous quality improvement, and quality by design. These methods are used throughout the world today. In the past ten years, there has been a rewakening interest in the fundamental concepts of quality control and quality assurance and an intense effort to apply modern statistical methods to continuously improve quality and productivity. AT&T is still providing strong technical leadership in developing these new methods.