Alexander Graham Bell

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"...who would ever want to use one?"

US PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD B. HAYES 1896

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Elated, on February 14, 1876, Bell filed his telephone patent application at the US Patent Office, beating his rival Elisha Gray by just a few hours, and on March 7, US Patent No. 174,465 was officially his. Three days later, by accident, Bell spoke the first words over the telephone: "Mr Watson-come here-I want to see you." The Bell Telephone Company was formed in 1877, and enjoyed headline news in 1878, when he demonstrated his new invention to a curious QUEEN VICTORIA, while on honeymoon in England!  He became a naturalised US citizen in 1882.

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"As to Bell's talking telegraph, it only creates interest in

scientific circles, and, as a toy it is beautiful; but ...

its commercial value will be limited."  ELISHA GRAY  1886

Bell placing the first New York to Chicago

telephone call in 1892

1876