Federal Post Minister Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schillig and project manager for "Bildschirmtext" at the Federal Post Ministry, Eric Danke during a press conference at the International Radio Exhibition (IFA) in Berlin

On September 1, 1983, Federal Postal Minister Dr. Christian Schwarz-Schilling opened the BTX service at the IFA in Berlin with a symbolic push of a button. To his left sits BTX Division Head Erich Danke. Due to technical delays, however, it was not until September 1984 that all participants were able to use BTX.