Bell had heard it over the wire and came running. This is when they realized the telephone could be invented. On February 14, 1876, Bells attorneys applied for a patent. Just 2-3 hours later Elisha Gray Applied for a patent over the same basic idea. On March 7, 1876, Bell was issued patent #174,825. It is a rumor that on March 10, 1856, Bell knocked over the liquid-battery acid they were using to transmit their voices. He cried out "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you."These were the first words ever sent over a wire. Wanting to promote this new invention he went to the Centennial Exhibition, where he introduces the telephone. Dom Pedro, a Brazilian Emperor, exclaimed, "My God, it talks," after Bell had recited a part from Hamlet. In 1877 Bell was awarded Frances's Volta Prize of 50,000 francs and a membership to the Legion of Honor. In 1878 the first telephone was installed in the white house, Rutherford B. Hayes was the first US president that had this privilege. Of course the first message was sent to Alexander Graham Bell, the president first words were said to have been, "Please speak more slowly." .
V. Rivalry.
Western Union Telegraph had held all the power when it came to when it came to telegraphy, so when the telephone came out they were instant competition to the Bell Telephone Company. So western Union started right away on their own telephone, They hired Elisha Gray and Thomas A. Edison. Wanting to protect the rights on the telephone, the Bell Company sued Western Union and won. Later on the Bell company would have to defend their patent more than 600 times. They eventually changed their name to AT&T.
VI. Bell's post-telephone life.
In 1882 Alexander Graham Bell became a US citizen. .Between 2877 and 1922 Bell would write more thane 100 articles and pamphlets and he would receive 30 patents relating to telephonic communication and instruction of the deaf. Some of his other inventions are the following; an electric probe used to locate bullets and metal items in the body, a vacuum jacket that could administer artificial respiration, and a audiometer used for measuring the intensity of sounds.
