
The Telephone
The Life Story of a Technology
David Mercer(Author)
Greenwood Press
Published on 1. September 2006
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-0-313-33207-4 (ISBN)
Description
The telephone has played a central role in shaping the way we communicate. From the telegraph in the 19th century through the mobile phone of today, the technology of the telephone has drastically altered how people work, how they keep in touch with friends and loved ones, and how they organize their daily lives. It has also been crucial in enabling governments and large organizations to extend their influence, both within and across nations, and has required wide-ranging changes in the law and in business practices. This volume in the Greenwood Technographies series examines the life story of the telephone and shows how this ubiquitous technology so completely impacts our lives.
The Telephone: A Life Story of a Technology discusses significant developments in the technological and social lives of people during the history of the telephone:
The telegraph (1830s-1870s) and its impact on the expansion of empires
The invention of the telephone, and the early designs and priority disputes between such inventors as Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray
The spread of the telephone, and the emergence of Universal Service
The revolutionary impact of the mobile phone The volume includes a glossary of terms, a timeline, and a bibliography of the most useful resources for further research.
The Telephone: A Life Story of a Technology discusses significant developments in the technological and social lives of people during the history of the telephone:
The telegraph (1830s-1870s) and its impact on the expansion of empires
The invention of the telephone, and the early designs and priority disputes between such inventors as Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray
The spread of the telephone, and the emergence of Universal Service
The revolutionary impact of the mobile phone The volume includes a glossary of terms, a timeline, and a bibliography of the most useful resources for further research.
Reviews / Votes
"Mercer traces the invention and development of the telegraph, the standard telephone, and the mobile telephone, being sure to report progress in Europe alongside U.S. advances. Appropriate for high school and college libraries, the book chronicles challenges to Bell's patent and monopoly, the beginnings of the commercial telephone industry, the social impacts of the telephone, deregulation of telecommunications, and the influence of different national policies on mobile technology. Black and white photographs are provided." - SciTech Book NewsMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
438 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-313-33207-4 (9780313332074)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2006
1st Edition
Greenwood Press
€86.99
Available for download
Person
David Mercer is Associate Professor in the Science Technology and Society Program at the University of Wollongong, Australia. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Metascience, and has published extensively in areas of social studies of science
Content
Series Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Timeline
The Invention and Development of the Telegraph, 1780s-1870s
The Invention of the Telephone, 1876
From Electric Toy to Business Tool, 1876-1893
Expansion, Competition, and the Remaking of the Bell Monopoly, 1893-1918
Consolidation in the Interwar Period, 1918-1945
The Calm before the Storm, 1945-1970s
Stormy Weather, Telecommunications Deregulation, and the New Digital World, 1970s-
The Global Mobile, 1980s-
Mobile Cultures, 1990s-
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Timeline
The Invention and Development of the Telegraph, 1780s-1870s
The Invention of the Telephone, 1876
From Electric Toy to Business Tool, 1876-1893
Expansion, Competition, and the Remaking of the Bell Monopoly, 1893-1918
Consolidation in the Interwar Period, 1918-1945
The Calm before the Storm, 1945-1970s
Stormy Weather, Telecommunications Deregulation, and the New Digital World, 1970s-
The Global Mobile, 1980s-
Mobile Cultures, 1990s-
Glossary
Bibliography
Index