Optical Cable Corporation was founded in 1983. The founders were responsible for performing the government-funded fiber optic cable development work at ITT Electro-Optical Products Division (EOPD) during the late 1970s and early 1980s. During that time, ITT captured nearly all of the government-funded R&D programs for development of fiber optic components and systems. Key among these programs was the creation of extremely strong, lightweight, rugged, and survivable fiber optic cable for military tactical field use.

Millions of dollars of engineering, prototype development and testing produced the tight-buffered, tightbound cable technology. Optical Cable Corporation has applied the results of these programs, the technology, the manufacturing methods and the thorough understanding of the capabilities of the tight-buffered cable process to designs for fiber optic cable for commercial applications.

Several of the company's key personnel worked at ITT EOPD during the same time frame. They provide combined experience of greater than 100 years in optical fiber development, cable engineering, quality control, production, sales and marketing.

From its inception, Optical Cable Corporation pioneered the use of military tactical cable technology with advanced manufacturing techniques to offer new cable designs specifically optimized for the requirements of moderate-distance local area network (LAN) installation environments.