1974: Launched Westar I, the first U.S. dedicated communications satellite.
They contributed to the techonological changes. Didn't so much put themselves out of business as move to new ways of doing things.
I did receive a telegram from my Dad in basic telling me how proud he was of me and that I was doing a great job. It was awesome to receive and I still have it 181/2 years later. However, I do understand that technology is advanced and now their are other methods to send information.