In the early forties of the 20th century, Western Union has used the first time a commercial intercity microwave transmission system. 1980 - for the first time in the history of Western Union revenues from money transfers exceeded the income from the telegraph service. Leaving the idea of expansion into Europe, Western Union took up the expansion of services in the U.S. market. Another invention of Western Union - time synchronization. By 1861 Western Union telegraph lines entangled the whole America. It's time to explore Europe. In 1991, Western Union has sold some low-profit division of the company AT & T, GM Hughes Electronics, and to some others. In the same year the company changed its name to New Valley Corp. On the market was placed about 765 million of ordinary shares of the company. On the first day trading on the exchange the company's shares rose by 3.3% and the cost was $ 19.96.