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telegraph
Carl F.Gauss and Ernst H. Weber build the electromagnetic telegraph. The telegraph was the first step to making electrical signals travel from one device to another -
telegraph line
Samuel F.B. Morse demonstrates the Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC, telegraph line -
develops a “telephon
Philipp Reis develops a “telephon.” Reis's phone was the first instrument to transmit the spoken word -
principle of the telephone
Alexander Graham Bell discovers the principle of the telephone -
automatic dial
The first automatic dial system was patented by a Kansas City undertaker. Switchboard operators were no longer necessary to make a telephone call. -
beginnings of cell phone
Oliver Lodge demonstrates wireless communication over a distance of 150 yards. This is the beginnings of cell phone technology -
telephone switching
The electronic telephone switching system is placed into service. Calls are switched faster than before. -
first single chip microprocesser
Intel Corporation develops the first single chip microprocesser, the 4004. The microprocessor would make telephones and switching systems smaller, lighter and faster to use. -
Bell
Bell System FT3 fiber optic communication is developed. -
Baby Bells
AT&T agrees to breakup its Bell System telephone companies. "Ma Bell" becomes a bunch of "Baby Bells