The Telephone - (Greenwood Technographies) by David Mercer (Hardcover)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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 News

About the Author

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