The Telephone and it’s History By: Nick Mercer Communications Technology

A telephone simply put allows two or more users to have a conversation anywhere in the world where there is a A telephone simply put allows two or more users to have a conversation anywhere in the world where there is a telecommunications service available. telecommunications service available. A telephone sends electronic signals over a cable and replays the signals in the form of your voice to the end A telephone sends electronic signals over a cable and replays the signals in the form of your voice to the end user. user.

The Speaking Tube The first known form of telecommunication was the 'speaking tube'....it consisted of two cones that were The first known form of telecommunication was the 'speaking tube'....it consisted of two cones that were attached to an air tube. There were two problems with this early method of telecommunication. First, the callers attached to an air tube. There were two problems with this early method of telecommunication. First, the callers had to be very close and second you could only connect to one caller. It was used to the mid 20th century to deliver had to be very close and second you could only connect to one caller. It was used to the mid 20th century to deliver quick clear messages. It was used mainly by higher society to relay messages to servants...it did however lead to quick clear messages. It was used mainly by higher society to relay messages to servants...it did however lead to the invention of the microphone and later the modern day telephone. the invention of the microphone and later the modern day telephone.

The Telegraph About 30 years prior to the telephone...it's predecessor the telegraph was invented. It used a series of ticks and dashes to send messages. The telegraph was also used by transit systems such as the railway and shipping lines. About 30 years prior to the telephone...it's predecessor the telegraph was invented. It used a series of ticks and dashes to send messages. The telegraph was also used by transit systems such as the railway and shipping lines.

Alexander Graham Bell Alexander Graham Bell pondered the idea of a speaking telegraph and along with his assistant Thomas Watson created a working telephone on March 10, They also used a bell to signal a call and came up with the concept of a dial pad. In Alexander Graham Bell pondered the idea of a speaking telegraph and along with his assistant Thomas Watson created a working telephone on March 10, They also used a bell to signal a call and came up with the concept of a dial pad. In the beginning however, there was little privacy as telephones were connected on party lines and anyone who was connected to your line could listen in to your conversations. Again, only the very wealthy could afford the the beginning however, there was little privacy as telephones were connected on party lines and anyone who was connected to your line could listen in to your conversations. Again, only the very wealthy could afford the luxury of a telephone in the beginning. luxury of a telephone in the beginning.

The telephone primarily has a microphone and a receiver, it also has a ringer and a dial pad. The transmitter and receiver are built into the handset. The transmitter converts the sound waves to electrical signals. Each telephone line has a unique telephone number and provinces, states and countries are identified by area codes and country codes. The telephone primarily has a microphone and a receiver, it also has a ringer and a dial pad. The transmitter and receiver are built into the handset. The transmitter converts the sound waves to electrical signals. Each telephone line has a unique telephone number and provinces, states and countries are identified by area codes and country codes.

A landline phone is connected by cable pairs to a central office and then connected through a path of poles or underground wiring to customers home. There are also transatlantic cables underneath the ocean surface that allow overseas calling. More recently fibreoptic cabling has been introduced giving customers a faster more efficient service.

The telephone network consists of: telephone lines fibreoptic cable microwave transmissions satellite undersea cables switching centres

Newfoundland The first telephones in Newfoundland were installed in March 1878 by St. John's postmaster John Delaney constructed two telephones from a description in the March 31, 1877 edition of Scientific American, and set up a telephone line between his home at 2 Monkstown Road and the home of John Higgins, a post office messenger at 48 Southwest Street. The telephone sets were connected by a line that was normally used for post office business. There is no further evidence of telephone use in Newfoundland until 1884, when a line was set up in St. John's between Archibald's Furniture Store, at the junction of Duckworth Street and St. John's Lane, and the residence of its manager on Devon Row. The first telephones in Newfoundland were installed in March 1878 by St. John's postmaster John Delaney constructed two telephones from a description in the March 31, 1877 edition of Scientific American, and set up a telephone line between his home at 2 Monkstown Road and the home of John Higgins, a post office messenger at 48 Southwest Street. The telephone sets were connected by a line that was normally used for post office business. There is no further evidence of telephone use in Newfoundland until 1884, when a line was set up in St. John's between Archibald's Furniture Store, at the junction of Duckworth Street and St. John's Lane, and the residence of its manager on Devon Row.

The twentieth century has seen many advancements in the telephone from the rotary dial phone to visual screens and call features such as call waiting. By the end of the twentieth century telephones became a necessity in the average household.

Employment With the advancement of the phone came the increase of employment opportunities from linesman and telephone With the advancement of the phone came the increase of employment opportunities from linesman and telephone technician to the operator that was present in every small community back when local and long distant calls were placed technician to the operator that was present in every small community back when local and long distant calls were placed through cord boards. through cord boards.

Telephony has now reached new levels and from the telephone industry we have now branched out into internet usage and VOIP (voice over IP) services. This can be easily seen through the common use of such programs as SKYPE. Telephony has now reached new levels and from the telephone industry we have now branched out into internet usage and VOIP (voice over IP) services. This can be easily seen through the common use of such programs as SKYPE. Until recently there was little competition in the telephone industry in Newfoundland and the business was a monopoly. With the introduction of competition there have been numerous advancements in telephone technology, as each business competes to gain the customer. Who knows what features lie ahead for the consumer! Until recently there was little competition in the telephone industry in Newfoundland and the business was a monopoly. With the introduction of competition there have been numerous advancements in telephone technology, as each business competes to gain the customer. Who knows what features lie ahead for the consumer!