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A '''telephone''' is a device which allows instantaneous voice communication between two parties. Despite only being invented less than 150 years ago and having a relatively simple design and concept it has evolved into one of the most used pieces of equipment worldwide, and is a crucial component of many individuals, families and businesses.

A '''telephone''' is a device which allows instantaneous [[voice]] communication between two parties. Despite only being invented less than 150 years ago and having a relatively simple design and concept it has evolved into one of the most used pieces of equipment worldwide, and is a crucial component of the daily lives of most individuals, families and [[business]]es.

==History==

==History==

The telephone was developed out of the telegraph, a system through which messages could be sent and received by send pulses of signal through an electrical circuit in the form of [[morse code]]. These required trained operators to both send and receive the message (which was then typed and delivered to the receiving party), however the basic concept led to the design of the telephone, and the extensive wiring provided infrastructure for early telephones.

The telephone was developed out of the [[telegraph]], a system through which messages could be sent and received by send pulses of signal through an electrical circuit in the form of [[morse code]]. These required trained operators to both send and receive the message (which was then typed and delivered to the receiving party), however the basic concept led to the design of the telephone, and the extensive wiring provided infrastructure for early telephones.

The actual designer of the telephone is a subject of extensive debate. There are reports it was developed as early as 1849 by Antonio Meucci, however it is unknown whether he built a telephone or a different type of electric device involving voice. The two main contenders for recognition as the inventor are [[Alexander Graham Bell|Alexander Bell]] and [[Elisha Gray]] who designed similar products using [[electromagnets]]. Their patent applications were registered on the same day in 1876 (with Gray's being filed two hours before Bell's), however as Bell had actually built a working model it was his that was granted, Gray choosing to withdraw his on advice of his lawyers. The following month Bell transmitted his famous line, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you", however he used components from Gray's patent in his final design.

The actual designer of the telephone is a subject of extensive debate. There are reports stating that it was developed as early as 1849 by Antonio Meucci, however it is unknown whether he built a telephone or a different type of electric device involving voice. The two main contenders for recognition as the inventor are [[Alexander Graham Bell|Alexander Bell]] and [[Elisha Gray]] who designed similar products using [[electromagnets]]. Their patent applications were registered on the same day in 1876 (with Gray's being filed two hours before Bell's), however as Bell had actually built a working model it was his that was granted, Gray choosing to withdraw his on advice of his lawyers. The following month Bell transmitted his famous line, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you", however he used components from Gray's patent in his final design.

Bell's struggles were not over after his patent application was confirmed. [[Thomas Edison]] had been developing a product which used a carbon microphone to transmit signals at a significantly cheaper price than the original design (which required permanent magnets and iron fittings), resulting in intense competition between the companies. In 1878 the first telephone exchanges were opened in both North America and Europe, however these were limited in that they required operators to monitor and connect lines. In 1879 David Connolly and JT McTighe patented an automatic dialing system, later developed by John and Charles Erickson and Frank Lundquist. This system was first implemented in 1919, however it was only in 1978 that the last manual phone was converted.

Bell's struggles were not over after his patent application was confirmed. [[Thomas Edison]] had been developing a product which used a carbon microphone to transmit signals at a significantly cheaper price than the original design (which required permanent magnets and iron fittings), resulting in intense competition between the companies. In 1878 the first telephone exchanges were opened in both North America and Europe, however these were limited in that they required operators to monitor and connect lines. In 1879 David Connolly and JT McTighe patented an automatic dialing system, later developed by John and Charles Erickson and Frank Lundquist. This system was first implemented in 1919, however it was only in 1978 that the last manual phone was converted.