The evening was filled with history!  The venue was adorned in historic mementos and displays depicting the historic events that took place just over 150 years ago.  The evening at the New York Historical Society gathered Executives from the Telecommunications industry, leading financial institutions, politicians, historians and global media.

Camera crews covered nearly every corner, interviewing Hibernia Atlantic’s executive management team that included Bjarni Thorvardarson, Hibernia Atlantic’s CEO; Ken Peterson, CVC, Founder and CEO and Chairman of Hibernia Atlantic and Eric Gutshall, Executive Vice President of Sales, whose team that included Melissa Butler organized the event along with many of the historians and descendents of Cyrus Field himself.

Attendees were welcomed by the Hibernia Atlantic team where Bjarni Thorvardarson addressed the crowd and introduced the event that included a champagne toast.  Ken Peterson followed with some poignant and prolific comments, including “What sets us apart as humans is our ability to communicate.” 

After Mr. Peterson’s comments, the guests were treated with presentations by leading Atlantic cable historians that included Bill Burns and David Bart. 

Bill Burns’ presentation was filled with detailed facts about the type of cable used 150 years ago and how it compared to the types of cables presently used.  He shared the story of the laying of the cable system. 

David Bart focused his presentation on Lord Kelvin. The wonderful details and passion shared by both pertaining to the history and the people who played a significant role in the laying of the 1st transatlantic submarine cable was fascinating the listen to.

The presentation portion of the evening ended with 1st transatlantic submarine cable , the great, great Grandson of Cyrus West Field.  He shared wonderful stories about the legacy of Cyrus Field, gave attendees and insiders eye into the type of person he was (fidgety, couldn’t keep still, serial entrepreneur).  Though he had few family relics the ones he did have he shared through pictures.  But mostly the history of the family was truly interesting – especially to hear that 2 siblings were committed to insane asylums at the same time while 2 other siblings served on the supreme court (at the same time). 

Attendees of the event represented companies that included Arbinet, China Netcom, Deutsche Telecom, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Director of the Audio History Library, MediaXstream, Mzima, PacketExchange, Telx, and more.

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me!  ilissa@jaymiescotto.com or ilissanyc@aol.com