In the early forties of the 20th century, Western Union has used the first time a commercial intercity microwave transmission system. America was on the verge of civil war and needed a reliable connection between the North and South. On the telegraph market of the USA at this time were operated with six large companies: American Telegraph Company, New York Albany and Buffalo Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, Atlantic and Ohio Telegraph, Illinois & Mississippi Telegraph Company, New Orleans & Ohio Telegraph Company, and the brainchild of Sibley & Co. - The Western Union Telegraph. As a result of 2011, net income of Western Union has increased by 28% to $ 1.165 billion, the company reported. In 1935, Western Union has put into operation first intercity fax communication. Most service points of Western Union work in the time convenient for customers throughout the week and throughout the year. The size of the commission fee for the transfer is charged according to the Western Union tariffs and depends on the amount of money sent. One of the common kinds of money transfer is a transfer via the international system of Western Union. In 1914 Western Union engineers invented the first payment card - a prototype of the modern credit card. 1970 - a new service called In the 1910-1920 years. Western Union is actively engaged in researching, innovating in the field of data transmission.