Alexander Graham Collection

Alexander Graham Bell makes the first telephone call between New York and Chicago, USA, 1892. Scottish-born American inventor Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

Alexander Graham Bell and assistant use an electrical detector to find a bullet in the torso of ail Artist: W Shinkle
Alexander Graham Bell and assistant use an electrical detector to find a bullet in the torso of ailing US President James Garfield, 1881, c1882, (1938)

Bells telephone in operation, late 19th century. Artist: Gilbert
Bells telephone in operation, late 19th century. Scottish-born American inventor Bell (1847-1922) filed the patent for his telephone at the United States Patent Office at 3pm on 14 February 1876

Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-born American inventor, 19th century. Bell (1847-1922), who patented the telephone in 1876, as a young man. (Colorised black and white print)

Bell telephone, 1882. Artist: Alexander Graham Bell
Bell telephone, 1882. Scottish-born American inventor Bell (1847-1922) filed the patent for his telephone at the United States Patent Office at 3pm on 14 February 1876

Elisha Gray, American inventor, presenting the caveat for his telephone, 1876, (c1890). Gray (1835-1901) arrived at the US Patent Office at 4pm on 14 February 1876

Wall mounted telephone, c1910. From Grande Encyclopedie Practique by Henri Desarces

Telephone Exchange, Paris, 1904. Women telephonists working while a uniformed boy messenger waits. From Le Petit Journal. (Paris, 17 April 1904)

Courting by telephone across Paris, 1883. An idea of one of the results of the invention of the telephone. From Le Vingtieme Siecle (The 20th Century) by A Robida. (Paris, 1883)

Private and Confidential, opening of the Anglo-French telephone line, 1891. Artist: John Tenniel
Private and Confidential, opening of the Anglo-French telephone line, 1891. The British Prime Minister (Lord Salisbury) in conversation with the French President (Sadi Carnot). Cartoon from Punch

Opening of the Anglo-French telephone line, 1891. The first London to Paris telephone conversation at the General Post Office, London. Bell instruments were used at the London end

Sketch of Alexander Graham Bells telephone of 1876. Artist: Alexander Graham Bell
Sketch of Alexander Graham Bells telephone of 1876. Scottish-born American inventor Bell (1847-1922) filed the patent for his telephone at the United States Patent Office at 3pm on 14 February 1876

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), Scottish-born American inventor. Bell, who patented the telephone in 1876, as a young man

Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell, British inventor
Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), British scientist and inventor. Bell was born in Scotland but moved to Boston, USA in 1871, to lecture on teaching the deaf to speak

Portrait of Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), Scottish-American speech therapist and inventor of the telephone. Bell followed his father and grandfather into the speech therapy profession

Alexander Graham Bell
Portrait of Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922), Scottish-American speech therapist and inventor of the telephone. Bell followed his father and grandfather into the speech therapy profession

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Alexander Graham Bell, a Scottish-born American inventor of the 19th century, revolutionized communication with his groundbreaking invention - the telephone. In 1876, Bell made history by patenting the first practical telephone and forever changing the way we connect with one another. One of Bell's most notable achievements was when he successfully made the first long-distance telephone call between New York and Chicago in 1892. This remarkable feat showcased the immense potential of his invention and paved the way for global communication as we know it today. Not only did Bell's ingenuity extend to telecommunications, but he also utilized his skills to save lives. Alongside his assistant, he used an electrical detector to locate a bullet lodged in artist W Shinkle's torso. This demonstration highlighted how technology could be harnessed for medical purposes, further solidifying Bell's reputation as an innovative thinker. The late 19th century saw widespread adoption of Bell's telephone across various settings. Artists like Gilbert depicted scenes where individuals interacted with this revolutionary device, capturing society's fascination with this newfound means of instant communication. Bell was not alone in his pursuit of inventing the telephone; Elisha Gray presented a caveat for his own version around 1876. However, it was ultimately Alexander Graham Bell who secured its patent and became synonymous with this groundbreaking creation. As time progressed, telephones evolved from wall-mounted devices to more portable models like those seen around 1910. The advent of telephone exchanges further streamlined connectivity within cities such as Paris in 1904. Telecommunication even played a role in romance during these times; courting by phone became popular across Paris in 1883. Such anecdotes highlight how quickly society adapted to this new form of interaction and integrated it into their daily lives. In addition to local connections, international lines were established too. The Anglo-French telephone line opened privately and confidentially in 1891 under John Tenniel's watchful eye.