The Founding of Reuters
In the 19th century, Paul Reuter, the founder of Reuters, played a pioneering role in modern news distribution. Reuter, who initially worked at a book-publishing firm in Berlin, became notable for distributing radical pamphlets during the Revolutions of 1848. These activities brought him attention and marked the beginning of his involvement in news services.
Early Innovations: Pigeons and Telegraphs
In 1850, Reuter developed an early prototype of a news service in Aachen. At the time, he ingeniously used homing pigeons to carry messages between Brussels and Aachen, bridging communication gaps where telegraph lines had yet to reach. By 1851, with the growth of electric telegraphy, Reuter transitioned to this new technology, paving the way for faster and more efficient message transmission.
Reuter’s Move to London
In 1851, Paul Reuter moved to London and established a news wire agency at the London Royal Exchange. Initially, Reuters focused on commercial news, serving key financial institutions such as banks, brokerage houses, and businesses.
The first newspaper client to subscribe to Reuter’s service was the London Morning Advertiser in 1858. Shortly thereafter, other newspapers recognized Reuters’ value, particularly its ability to deliver breaking international news.
Reuters’ International Breakthrough
Reuters’ reputation grew significantly when it was the first to report the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1865 to European audiences. This milestone solidified Reuters as a trusted and reliable source of global news.
Expansion and Dominance
Incorporation and the Ring Combination
In 1865, Reuter incorporated his private business as Reuter’s Telegram Company Limited and became its managing director. By 1870, Reuters, alongside the French agency Havas and the German agency Wolff, formed the Ring Combination. This agreement defined reserved territories for each agency to prevent competition and streamline global news dissemination.
Reuters emerged as the dominant force in this arrangement, thanks to its:
- Extensive global network of stringers and staff.
- Wider reserved territories of significant news importance.
- Strategic access to British-controlled cable lines, which made London the hub for world news.
Global Expansion
Reuters continued to grow:
- 1872: Expanded into the Far East.
- 1874: Reached South America.
These expansions were enabled by technological advancements in overland telegraphs and undersea cables, which allowed for faster global communication.
Transition of Leadership
In 1878, Paul Reuter retired as managing director and was succeeded by his eldest son, Herbert de Reuter. Under his leadership, Reuters maintained its momentum and influence in the global news industry. By 1883, Reuters began transmitting messages electrically to London newspapers, marking a major step in modernizing the delivery of news.
Conclusion
The 19th-century history of Reuters is a story of innovation, vision, and expansion. From using homing pigeons to pioneering electric telegraphy, Paul Reuter transformed the way news was delivered globally. Through strategic alliances and technological advancements, Reuters became a cornerstone of international journalism, shaping the future of global news distribution.
