Telephone, circa 1895

01

Artifact Overview

In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell shouted these first words into his invention: "Mr. Watson--Come here! I want to see you!" While the "true invention" origins of the telephone are complicated, Bell received the first patent for improvements in telegraphy, allowing bi-directional transmission of voice. "The future of wires" united the nation as telephones were commercialized throughout the 20th century.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

circa 1895

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2014.0.17.146

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Iron alloy
Nickel (Metal)
Phenolic
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Height: 4.75 in
Width: 4.25 in
Length: 4.5 in

Inscriptions

Property of the American Bell Telephone Company 2476150 [patent information] Patented Aug. 2. 81 . . . July 11. 1893
Telephone, circa 1895