January 31, 1973, saw the conversion of The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad (NSTP) into a public company but it actually began its existence in 1845.

1845

» Catchick Moses, an Armenian bought a press and appointed Robert Carr Woods as an editor. On the morning of July 15, Robert Carr Woods single-handedly edited and published the first issue of the Straits Times and Singapore Journal of Commerce which was printed on a hand press at a godown in No. 7, Commercial Square (later known as Raffles Place), Singapore. It was an eight-page folio-sized paper, published every Tuesday with circulation of less than 200 copies. The price was 10 cents.

» In December, the Straits Times Press launched an Overland Journal for despatch overseas.

1846

» Catchick Moses transferred ownership of the press to Robert Carr Woods.

1858

» Woods turned the Straits Times and Singapore Journal of Commerce into an afternoon daily, changing its name to the Daily Times.

1860

» Woods sold the newspaper and his printing plant and book-bindery to W. Wynter & Company. Though the operation changed hands, the paper continued to exert its influence in the country and remained a one-man operation.

1861

» In August, the editorship of the newspaper passed to master mariner John Cameron, who eventually bought the press.

1870

» The Straits Times began subscribing to Reuters news agency.

1881

» John Cameron died, bequeathing the Straits Times Press to his widow.

1883

» Daily Times reverted to being the Straits Times.

1895

» The Straits Times Press moved out of Raffles Place to more spacious rented offices in nearby Finlayson Green.

1896

» The Straits Times Press modernised its services by introducing bicycles for suburban delivery. Four bicycles were bought and were painted bright red like fire engines, so that readers would know their copies of the Straits Times were being delivered to them as fast as possible.

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