A carabiner is a common piece of mountain climbing equipment, a metal clip that allows climbers to link together ropes and harnesses. If you're learning to rock climb, you'll most likely use a carabiner. Carabiners are vital for climbers and mountaineers to keep various pieces of equipment connected to each other, and thus to keep themselves safe while they're climbing. A carabiner can take various forms and shapes, but it's usually a metal oval, with a spring-loaded clip that stays closed unless it's pushed open.
In 1899, American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) acquired the assets of its parent, the American Bell Telephone Company. American Bell had created AT&T to provide long-distance calls between New York and Chicago and beyond. AT&T became the parent of American Bell Telephone Company, and thus the head of the Bell System, because regulatory and tax rules were leaner in New York than in Boston, where American Bell was headquartered.
As of 2016, Verizon is one of three companies that had their roots in the former Baby Bells. The other two, like Verizon, exist as a result of mergers among fellow former Baby Bell members. One, SBC Communications, bought out its former parent AT&T Corporation and assumed the AT&T name.