Title: Invention of the Telephone - History Crunch - History Articles, Summaries, Biographies, Resources and More
Headings: INVENTION OF THE TELEPHONE
INVENTION OF THE TELEPHONE
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Content: Alexander Graham Bell Infographic (Click to Enlarge)
Alexander Graham Bell Telephone Patent Drawing (1876)
Alexander Graham Bell
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.