The history of the telephone is a long and circuitous one, full of twists and turns, fortunate accidents, and persistent inventors. It began back in 1876 with Alexander Graham Bell’s groundbreaking invention, based on previous work with acoustics and electricity. It quickly became clear that Bell’s invention had potential far beyond anything that had come before.
As inventors sought to improve upon Bell’s original design in the years and decades that followed, the history of the telephone – and the telephone call –took on new, exciting life. First came the rotary dial, then the touch-tone keypad, all making communication much easier and more efficient.
And then came the telephone answering service, which provided a vital link between customers and companies. Today, answering services are an essential component of many businesses. Edwards Answering Service has been at the forefront of the industry since 1954 and continues to offer its clients convenience and comprehensive customer service today.
1876 – The very first telephone was developed in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.
On March 10, 1876, Bell transmitted the first discernable speech over the telephone to his assistant: “Mr. Watson, come here; I want to see you.”
1892 – Telephone technology rapidly evolved in the early 1900s with the invention of the dial phone in 1892.
The popularity of the telephone exploded after World War II as more and more households – and businesses – acquired them.
1954 – In 1954, Betty and Fred Edwards founded Edwards Answering Service with nine rotary telephones on their dining room table.
1973 – The first mobile phone was created in 1973 by engineer Martin Cooper.
1980 – In 1980, Edwards Answering Service implemented its first electronic system.
In 1983, Motorola released the first commercially available handheld mobile phone – the DynaTAC 8000x.
Mobile phones began to gain popularity in the 1980s. By the 2000s they had largely replaced landlines.
1984 – In 1984, Edwards Answering Service expanded – opening a location in Milford, CT.
2007 – The iPhone was released in 2007 and revolutionized the mobile phone industry.
Also in 2007, Edwards Answering Service began offering text messaging services – cutting edge for the time!
TODAY – There are over 7 billion active mobile phone users in the world.
And Edwards Answering Service continues to offer stellar customer service that puts your callers and their needs first using the platforms (phone, text, email) they prefer.
The rest – as they say – is history.
