The Telephone and the Transformation of Communication

Today, it is difficult to imagine life without instant communication. Yet just 150 years ago, the idea of speaking with someone hundreds of miles away seemed almost impossible. The invention of the telephone became one of the most important technological breakthroughs of the nineteenth century, permanently transforming how people communicated, conducted business, and shared information.

During this webinar, we will explore the history of the telephone, examine the development of the first telephone networks, and consider why this invention became such an important step toward today’s digital world. We will also discuss the telephone’s impact on the economy, politics, everyday life, and society, as well as the ways communication technologies continue to reshape our world.

The webinar will be presented by Lee A. Farrow, author, Distinguished Research Professor, and Chair of the Department of History and World Cultures at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama.