This Day in Patent History - On January 19, 1878, Thomas Edison patented speaking telegraph (or telephone) in Italy

On January 19, 1878, Thomas Edison patented speaking telegraph (or telephone) in Italy.

Although Bell invented telephone first, Edison’s invention of the carbon-button transmitter proved to be a necessary component of successful telephone communication. To this day the carbon-button transmitter is used in telephone speakers and microphones.

PatentYogi_On January 19, 1878, Thomas Edison patented speaking telegraph

 

Patent Information
Publication number: US474230 A
Patent Title: Speaking-telepgraph
Publication type: Grant
Publication date: 3 May 1892
Filing date: 27 Apr 1877
Priority date: 27 Apr 1877
Inventors: Thomas A Edison
Original Assignee: Thomas A Edison

US474230