Facts About The Telephone

“Ahoy” was the original telephone greeting: Alexander Graham Bell suggested ‘ahoy’ (as used in ships), but was later superseded by Thomas Edison, who suggested ‘hello’ instead.

The very first phone call was “Watson come here, I want you!” It was made on March 10 1876 in Boston, Massachusetts, between Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Thomas A. Watson.

Britain’s first mobile phone call was made across the Vodafone network on 1 January 1985 by veteran comedian Ernie Wise.

Heinz Ketchup was invented the same year Alexander Graham Bell made his first phone call.

Alexander Graham Bell thought the phone should be answered with “Hoy, Hoy” instead of “Hello”.

By 1910, New York Telephone had 6,000 women telephone operators.

Mark Twain was one of the first to have a phone in his home.

There was no technology for timing calls in the early days of telephones, so the phone company used to charge a flat monthly rate for service.

In 1910 the train fare from New York to Philadelphia was $4.50. A phone call between the same two cities was 80 cents.

As a tribute to Alexander Graham Bell when he died in 1922, all the telephones stopped ringing for one full minute.

From one telephone in 1876, the count grew to 11,000,000 (million) telephones nationwide by 1915.

In 1956 the first transatlantic telephone cable was placed on the ocean floor and rests as deep as 12,000 feet! It runs from Newfoundland, Canada to Scotland!

There are 149,084,370 telephone lines in the world and thousands more are being added every day.

The origin of the phrase ‘to put someone on hold’ was Alexander Graham Bell handing over his telephone instrument to his partner Mr Watson and saying, “here, hold this”.

The memorable Nokia tone for receiving SMS text messages is Morse code for ‘SMS’ Likewise, the ‘Ascending’ tone is Morse code for ‘Connecting People,’ (Nokia’s slogan) and ‘Standard’ is Morse code for ‘M’ (Message).

Alexander Graham Bell experimented with his “harmonic telegraph” for two years before getting patented by the U.S. Patent Office. On March 10, 1876 he was able to get his phone to work.

Heinz Ketchup was also invented in the year 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell made his first phone call.
Mark Twain was one of the first people to have a phone in his home.

Telephones grew quickly, from one phone in 1876 to 11 million phones nationwide by 1915, only in US.

New York Telephone had 6,000 women telephone operators by 1910.

The phrase “to put someone on hold” was named after Alexander and his assistant Mr. Watson, when Bell handed Watson the phone and said “here, hold this.”

When Alexander Graham Bell died in 1922, all telephones stopped from ringing for one full minute as a tribute to the creator.

The first transatlantic telephone cable was used in 1956. A telephone cable was run across the ocean floor and lies as deep as 12,000 feet. The cable runs across the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Scotland.

There are roughly 150 million telephone lines in the world, a number that increases by thousands daily.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Telephone:

1. Who invented the telephone and how did it work?

There’s some debate about the invention of the telephone, but Alexander Graham Bell is widely credited with receiving the first patent in 1876. His early telephone design transmitted sound by converting variations in electrical current into audible sound waves. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

• Speaking into the transmitter: Sound waves from your voice vibrated a thin metal diaphragm in the transmitter, which converted those vibrations into electrical signals.
• Transmission through wires: These electrical signals traveled through wires to the receiving telephone.
• Recreating sound at the receiver: The electrical signals caused an electromagnet in the receiver to vibrate a metal diaphragm, replicating the original sound waves and allowing the listener to hear your voice.

This technology relied on direct current (DC) and had limitations in transmitting over long distances.

1. How did the telephone evolve from its early form?

The telephone underwent significant advancements over time:

• Improvements by Bell and Others: Bell and other inventors like Elisha Gray continued to refine the technology, developing microphones made of carbon granules that improved sound transmission.
• The Rise of Rotary Phones: Rotary dial phones became the standard in the early 20th century, allowing users to easily dial numbers by rotating a circular disc.
• Automatic Switching Systems: Manual switchboards where operators connected calls were gradually replaced by automatic switching systems, making connections faster and more efficient.
• Transatlantic Calls and Beyond: Technological advancements like the development of amplifiers and transatlantic cables enabled telephone communication across continents.
• Touch-Tone Phones and Push-Button Dialing: Rotary phones were phased out in favor of touch-tone phones with push buttons for easier and faster dialing.
• Mobile Phones and the Cellular Revolution: The invention of mobile phones and cellular networks in the latter half of the 20th century revolutionized communication, allowing people to make and receive calls from almost anywhere.

1. What impact did the telephone have on society?

The telephone’s impact on society has been profound:

• Revolutionizing Communication: It drastically improved communication speed and efficiency, allowing people to connect instantly over long distances.
• Business and Commerce: The telephone facilitated business transactions, coordination, and communication, boosting economic activity.
• Social Connections: It fostered closer social ties by enabling people to stay in touch with friends and family who lived far away.
• Emergency Services: The telephone played a crucial role in establishing emergency hotlines and improving response times.
• Global Communication: Telephone technology paved the way for advancements in international communication and information sharing.

1. How have telephones changed in the 21st century?

The 21st century has witnessed a further transformation of the telephone:

• Rise of Mobile Phones: Smartphones have become the dominant communication device, integrating phone calls with texting, internet access, social media, and a multitude of applications.
• Internet Telephony (VoIP): Services like Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allow calls to be made through the internet, offering cost-effective options.
• Video Calls and Conferencing: Video calling features have become commonplace, allowing for face-to-face communication over long distances.
• Convergence with Technology: Telephones are now integrated with other technologies like smart speakers and virtual assistants, changing how we interact and make calls.

1. What does the future hold for the telephone?

The future of the telephone is likely to be shaped by continued innovation:

• Integration with AI: Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a larger role in call management, voice assistants, and language translation capabilities.
• Emerging Technologies: Advancements in areas like wearable technology and virtual reality could further redefine how we communicate using phone technology.
• Focus on User Experience: The focus might shift towards even more user-friendly interfaces, seamless integration with other devices, and personalized communication features.

While the traditional landline phone’s use may decline, the core concept of voice communication will likely continue to evolve and adapt to new technologies, ensuring the telephone remains a vital tool for connection.