In the early forties of the 20th century, Western Union has used the first time a commercial intercity microwave transmission system. July 3, 1884 the company's shares were included in the calculation base for the newly created stock index Dow Jones Transportation Average. In October 2006 the company made an initial public offering of shares on the New York Stock Exchange, becoming independent from First Data company. In 1933, by the Western Union Company were invented "singing telegrams". In the 1910-1920 years. Western Union is actively engaged in researching, innovating in the field of data transmission.