Yellow Pages in Switzerland and Beyond

From Paper to Smart Search: The Evolution of Yellow Pages Worldwide and in Switzerland What do a paper shortage in 1883, a global directory system, and a Swiss web platform have in common? They are all part of the fascinating history of the Yellow Pages . From their humble beginnings in the United States to their modern digital form as yellowpages.swiss , much has changed—but the core idea remains: helping people find local businesses quickly and reliably. How It All Began: Paper Shortage Leads to Innovation The first edition of the Yellow Pages was created by accident. In 1883, a printer in Cheyenne, Wyoming, ran out of white paper for the telephone directory and used yellow paper instead. That decision gave birth to a global visual identity. Soon, Yellow Pages became a standard feature in North America—first as part of phone books, later as standalone business directories including ads, maps, and categories. What worked well in the U.S. spread quickly around the world. Global Ex...