Old black telephone

History of the Telephone

By adien6172
  • Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone

    Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone

    He utters the words "Mr. Watson - come here - I want to see you." over his now working telephone.
  • Candlestick telephone becomes popular

    Candlestick telephone becomes popular

    The candlestick telephone was separated into two pieces: a mouth piece and a receiver. These phones died out in the 1940s.
  • The rotary phone is patented

    The rotary phone is patented

    The rotary phone, or turn dial telephone, was patented by Almon Brown Strowger on this date, but it did not become popular until the 1940s.
  • Willy Muller invents the first automatic answering machine

    Willy Muller invents the first automatic answering machine

    The automatic answering machine uses a cassette tape to record messages. These became more popular in the 1960s.
  • The tone-dialing phone is introduced

    The tone-dialing phone is introduced

    The tone-dialing phone, or push button phone, is introduced to residents in Pennsylvania.
  • The first mobile phone call is made.

    The first mobile phone call is made.

    Motorola employee Martin Cooper stands in midtown Manhattan and makes a phone call to headquarters of Bell Labs in New Jersey, informing them that he is calling via mobile phone.
  • Caller ID is introduced to landlines

    Caller ID is introduced to landlines

    Caller ID is now available on landlines, but not on mobile phones. Now, people can see who is calling them.
  • The first Apple iPhone is released

    The first Apple iPhone is released

    After years of speculation, Apple releases its first touchscreen smart phone.