In the Western Union in the 30s of the 20th century worked 14 thousand couriers delivering telegrams. In 1920, Western Union has implemented the world's first transmission of images over the ocean. Western Union has several divisions, with products such as person-to-person money transfer, money orders, business payments and commercial services. Another invention of Western Union - time synchronization. In the early 60s Western Union has put into operation transcontinental microwave system of data transmission via radio waves, completely replacing the web of telegraph poles and wires. In October 2006 the company made an initial public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming independent from First Data company. The Western Union Company is a leader in global payment services In 1879 Western Union left the telephone business after losing a lawsuit against Alexander Graham Bell - the patent holder on the phone. Number of active holders of "Golden Card" of Western Union amounted to 9.5 million people worldwide.