"Die soziale Prägung der britischen Telekommunikationsnetzwerke vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg". This paper applies concepts from the social sciences to the evolution of communications in Britain before the First World War: the social shaping of technology, social networks and the distinction between short and long term effects. Two cases studies relating to communications in nineteenth century Britain – the telegraphic link to India and phones – are then examined in the light of these concepts. It is argued that communication networks grow out of existing social/business networks, which in turn reflect previous communication and transport networks, and that the main immediate effect of a new mode is to increase commuwhile in the longer run, new practices develop.