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Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone
He utters the words "Mr. Watson - come here - I want to see you." over his now working telephone. -
Candlestick telephone becomes popular
The candlestick telephone was separated into two pieces: a mouth piece and a receiver. These phones died out in the 1940s. -
The rotary phone is patented
The rotary phone, or turn dial telephone, was patented by Almon Brown Strowger on this date, but it did not become popular until the 1940s. -
Willy Muller invents the first automatic answering machine
The automatic answering machine uses a cassette tape to record messages. These became more popular in the 1960s. -
The tone-dialing phone is introduced
The tone-dialing phone, or push button phone, is introduced to residents in Pennsylvania. -
The first mobile phone call is made.
Motorola employee Martin Cooper stands in midtown Manhattan and makes a phone call to headquarters of Bell Labs in New Jersey, informing them that he is calling via mobile phone. -
Caller ID is introduced to landlines
Caller ID is now available on landlines, but not on mobile phones. Now, people can see who is calling them. -
The first Apple iPhone is released
After years of speculation, Apple releases its first touchscreen smart phone.
