Bell Telephone
The first Bell telephone company started in 1878. This is now known as the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), which was incorporated in 1885.

Switchboard
On January 17, 1882, Leroy Firman received a patent for the telephone switchboard.

Telephone Exchange - Rotary Dialing
The first telephone exchange became operational in New Haven, Connecticut in 1878. Almon Strowger was issued a patent on March 11, 1891 for the first automatic telephone exchange.

Telephone Books
The first telephone book was published in New Haven, by the New Haven District Telephone Company in February 1878. It was one page long and held fifty names - no numbers were listed as the operator would connect you. The page was divided into four heading residential, professional, miscellaneous, and essential service listings.

Yellow Pages
In 1886, Reuben H. Donnelly produced the first Yellow Pages directory featuring business names and phone numbers, categorized by the types of products and services provided.

Pay Phones
In 1889, the first coin-operated telephone or pay phone was patented William Gray of by Hartford, Connecticut. Gray's pay phone was first installed and used in the Hartford Bank.

Caller ID
In 1982, a patent for Caller ID was filed by Carolyn Doughty of Bell Labs.

911
The history of 911

©Mary Bellis