About Zenith 12000
The term “Zenith 12000” originated back in 1954 as a telephone line designated specifically for highway emergencies in California (ZEnith 1-2000). Zenith telephone numbers were first introduced in the 1930s as toll-free numbers, with the toll fees being charged to the receiving party. In the early 1900s, the “Z” on a rotary dial telephone was also the position of the zero and “Operator.” To connect to a business with a Zenith number, the caller would first have to dial the operator (or “Z”) and ask for the desired Zenith number. In 1954, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced Zenith 1-2000 as the unique number to report highway emergencies throughout California. This was the catalyst that led to today’s universal 911 emergency call system.
That same year, 1954, the CHP published its first employee newsletter with the moniker Zenith 12000. Since then, the newsletter has grown from a few black and white pages to a full-color printed magazine. In May 2020, the employee magazine transitioned from a printed publication to an online format and invited the general public to see just a small sample of what the CHP is all about. Although the way in which the Zenith is now distributed has changed over time, it continues to highlight the extraordinary work that the women and men of the CHP are doing every day. While they may humbly refer to their own efforts as “all in a day's work,” they exemplify a special dedication unmatched in public service, and that dedication is the driving force behind the Zenith 12000. We hope you enjoy reading about the many ways the CHP is involved in communities throughout California.
