Elenco Fiber Optics Voice Data Kit - Manual (Page 2)

Introduction
Welcome to the fascinating world of fiber optics technology!
Not long ago, fiber optics was little more than a laboratory
curiosity. Physicists and scientists in research labs were the only
people doing much work in this field. Components were typically
high-priced, unavailable, or had to be made from raw materials.
Generally, fiber optics was considered a very special field of
optics with few real applications. No company then in existence
specialized in fiber optics.
In the last 20 years all this has changed. Although the precise
origins of fiber optics are hard to define (one might say the
"beginning" occurred when light was created), many
knowledgeable people contend the turning point was the
successful demonstration of a fiber optic telephone line in 1976
by the Bell Telephone System. Since then, fiber optics has
become one of the breakthrough technologies world-wide. From
obscure beginnings in the back of a lab, fiber optics has become
the major advertising focus of communications giants such as
AT&T, Sprint and MCI, and it has simplified many medical
procedures. Fiber optics is now a leading edge technology. It
employs many of the world's brightest engineers and scientists
working in companies of all sizes.
We hope you enjoy your Adventures in Fiber Optics Kit. In it
are 20 action-filled experiments and five projects to impress your
friends, parents and fellow students. We hope it exceeds your
expectations and provides you with many hours of interesting
and stimulating activities. At this time please inspect your kit and
identify every item in the Kit Components list. If any items are
missing, please see the section entitled "Missing Parts &
Warranty Information."