The Evolution of the Telephone

Back in the 1800’s, the first telephone was created by Alexander Graham Bell (although not without it’s controversy. A number different inventors all played a part. However on the most part, people wonder if Bell or Grey really did invent it first).

Since then telephone has come a long way and now we can now call anywhere in the world with a phone in seconds. Something which was completely unimaginable just a couple of 100s years ago.

Looking over the past few decades so many differences in how phones are not only looking but used. These days almost everyone has a mobile phone in their pockets, while landlines are becoming less used.

Even kids often have one to keep them connected to peers and family as well as the fast flowing world of social media.

However, let us have a look back on how things have quite quickly changed in the world of the telephone.

While Alexander Graham Bell is credited with creating the first phone in the 1800’s, there is actually history of primitive phones dating back to the 1660’s.

Most of the primitive phones are best described as mechanical acoustic devices and cover things like the string telephone, made from tin cans (sometimes called the lovers phone).

In 1753 Charles Morrison, a Scientist put forward a theory that you could transmit messages via electricity, by using different wires for each letter.

During the 1800’s we started to see the emergence of the electrical telegraphs. While many different types of telegraphs were created at the start of the 1800’s.

Two Germans created the first electromagnetic telegraph in 1833. However, it wasn’t until 1839 at the Great Western Railway in England, the first electric telegraph was first constructed.

It is also worth noting that in 1837, Samual Morse had developed his own electrical telegraph (which was patented within the United States). Along with the use of a coded signalling alphabet to pass messages.

It is interesting to know that when Alexender Graham Bell, first brought out the idea of the telephone, many people argued that it was unneeded. Why would people call each other, when they could use a telegram instead?

That said it took just a year after Bell showed off his invention for the first phone lines to be constructed.

These were placed between Boston and Somerville, Massachusetts and in the years that followed construction boomed across America.

Things progressed quickly after this.

The late 1890s saw the creation of the candlestick phone, 1915 saw the first transcontinental telephone call and into the 1930s we saw the emergence of answer phones (with most 20th-century answer phones deriving from magnetic recording, which was invented in 1898).

Fast forward to the 1980s and portable phones and mobile phones started to emerge.

From their advancements are all about technology, from the basic mobile phones, which let you call, then later text as well.

To the ones we know today which allow you to play games, video chat, check maps and even those with voice, facial and thumb recognition.

It seems such a short space of time to have changed so much. If you fancy seeing more about the evolution of the telephone then this infographic is for you and don’t forget  if you’re interested in getting telephones for your office, check out Soniza a telecoms consultant who can help you with everything you need.

How do you feel about the evolution of the telephone, can you believe that so much has changed in such a little time, what do you think will be the future of phones?

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