INVENTION OF THE TELEPHONE
The Industrial Revolution is one of the most significant events in all of world history and had a profound impact on the modern world. It began first in Britain in the 1700s but soon expanded to the rest of Europe and North America. Before the innovations of the Industrial Revolution, most production depended on water, wind or human energy. The businesses that existed at this time were called cottage industries. Cottage industries were an early stage of economic development in society in which workers produce a limited amount of goods in home-based businesses. However, by the mid-1700’s, new methods of production were being developed across Europe, especially in Great Britain. This transition led to the factory system, which was the creation of factories in centralized locations such as industrial towns and cities. This period of innovation continued throughout the 19th century and led to many new inventions by now famous inventors. In fact, one of the key features of the Industrial Revolution is the development of new inventions that led to more automation by machines. Significant inventions or innovations of the Industrial Revolution included: flying shuttle, spinning jenny, power loom, water frame, cotton gin, steam engine, telephone, light bulb, automobile, assembly line production and interchangeable parts.
A significant invention of the late period of the Industrial Revolution was the telephone, which was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish inventor although he lived and worked in both Canada and the United States during the majority of his life and time inventing. The Industrial Revolution was one of the most important events in human history and dramatically transformed life for people throughout the world. While it first began in Britain, its effects later spread to other parts of Europe, the Americas and now parts of Asia. In general, the Industrial Revolution unfolded in a series of stages, which historians refer to as the First Industrial Revolution and the Second Industrial Revolution. The First Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century and focused primarily on textile manufacturing and steam power. The Second Industrial Revolution began in the mid-19th century and continued until World War I in 1917. The Second Industrial Revolution focused instead on steel production, the automobile and advances in electricity. Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone is one of the most significant inventions from the Second Industrial Revolution.
Alexander Graham Bell Infographic (Click to Enlarge)
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Alexander Graham Bell Telephone Patent Drawing (1876)
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Alexander Graham Bell
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Throughout the 1860s and 1870s, Bell carried out numerous experiments all centered around human speech and the use of technology to carry human made sounds long distances. For instance, in 1875 he developed a receiver that could turn electricity into sound. Called ‘acoustic telegraphy’, the device allowed voice-like sounds to be heard across wires. While, not yet delivering clear voices across the wires, the device proved to Bell that the technology was viable. Bell quickly raced to get the acoustic telegraph patented in 1875. In the meantime, he continued to experiment and quickly worked to develop the first working telephone. At the time, there was intense competition with other inventors, who were working on similar technology. For example, American engineer Elisha Gray had developed a prototype of a telephone model in 1876. In fact, some historians suggest that Gray should be credited with developing the first telephone. Others even accuse Bell of stealing the basic design elements of his own telephone design from Gray. Regardless, Alexander Graham Bell obtained the credit for the invention because he was the first to secure the patent in 1876. In fact, on March 10th in 1876, three days after his patent was issued, Bell performed a successful test of his then current telephone design. The test involved Bell stating “Mr. Watson—Come here—I want to see you” in reference to Thomas Watson, an assistant to Bell at the time.
Following this initial test of his design, Bell carried out a more extensive test on his family farm near Branford, Canada on August 3rd, 1876. He had run a wire crudely along fences and telegraph posts over a stretch of about five miles (eight kilometers) from Brantford to his home. When setup, Bell was able to hear people on the other end of the line in Brantford. The test proved the ability of his telephone design to carry voices over long distances.
Following these tests, Bell worked hard to improve and perfect his telephone and the technology behind it. In fact, the Bell Telephone Company was created in 1877, and it made Bell and his investors incredibly wealthy. The company continued developing the telephone and installed wires all across the United States. In fact, through a series of different mergers the original Bell Telephone Company eventually became the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885. These mergers gave the company access to more lines and allowed people to made long-distance phone calls. For example, Bell made the first transcontinental telephone call in January of 1915. He made the call from AT&T office New York City and called his assistant, Thomas Watson, in San Francisco, California.
His invention of the telephone made Bell a wealthy man. In turn, the telephone allowed communication across great distances and is one of the single most significant inventions that led to the modern age. In fact, telephone technology has improved significantly since Bell’s early designs and now includes cell phones and internet applications.
His invention of the telephone made Bell a wealthy man. In turn, the telephone allowed communication across great distances and is one of the single most significant inventions that led to the modern age. In fact, telephone technology has improved significantly since Bell’s early designs and now includes cell phones and internet applications.
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