The practice of rooftop "poles" with utility wiring came about in the early 1880s. With the then-recent advent of the telephone and electric light, companies providing these services were popping up all of the country, randomly stringing wires from point A to point B and beyond in U.S. cities. By 1900, this clutter became dangerous, unsightly and invited poor service during bad weather. By 1905 or so, utility wires were strung from pole-to-pole in a *somewhat* more orderly manner. In some communities, especially within large cities, overhead wiring was placed underground.