††††The telephone is a system for sending speech or sound over long distances. In a telephone, speech is changed into electrical impulses by means of a microphone. This is demonstrated by the animation on this page.
The 'Electric Speaking Telephone' was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.
The microphone and receiver were identical and consisted of a magnet surrounded by a solenoid placed close to an iron membrane. The first words Bell spoke on his telephone to his assistant; "Mr Watson, come here, I want you!"
