Telephone History

Alexander Graham Bell wanted to improve the telegraph, as a direct result of this the telephone was invented. The telegraph used the “dot and dash” morse code, and could only send and recieve one message at a time. Bell wanted to transfer multiple messages at a single time, using a musical approach. ENTERS the “Harmonic Telegraph”, if different notes and signals differed in pitch. With financial packing from his future father in-law, Bell was able to continue his work on this idea. Also at the same time Bell and Thomas Watson were working on an idea to develop a device that would transmit speech electrically.

10th March 1876, the first voice was heard over a wire, as Bell spoke to Watson in different rooms, “Mr Watson…come here..I want to see you”.

Service Lines and Switchboards

The first telephone line went from Boston to Somerville in 1878.
At the end of 1880 there were 47000 telephones in the USA.

The first switchboard patent was in 1882.

Exchanges and Rotary Dialing

At first a subscriber would have to put up his own line to connect with another.

In 1889 a switch was invented by Almon B. Strowger an undertaker in Kansas City, the would connect one line to any of the 100 lines by using relays and sliders. This was known as the Strowger Switch.

Telephone Books

The first telephone book was published in 1878 in New Haven, by the New Haven Telephone Company. It was only one page, and only had 50 names, with no telephone numbers, as the operator would connect you. The page was divided into four heading: residential, professional, miscellaneous and essential service.

The Yellow Pages

The Yellow PAges directory was published in 1886, by Reuben H. Donnely. It had business names and telephone numbers, and was categorized by the products and services that were provided.