# HISTORY OF THE TELEPHONE & DEVELOPMENT OF THE BELL SYSTEM BELL TELEPHONE PROMO FILM 52634

An American Dream is a short film covering the history of the telephone and the development of the Bell System. The film starts with a recap of the 1870s, a time of struggle for many in America, but also a time of innovation. In 1876, the telephone is invented by Professor Alexander Graham Bell ( 01:25 ). He believes that wires can connect everyone. Old silent films ( 02:02 ) of Bell and his associate Mr. Watson show the success of developing a telephone. However, many people dismiss Bell’s ideas and patents, and it isn’t until Theodore Newton Vail ( 02:57 ) joins the company in 1878, taking control of leadership, warding off patent infringements, and acquiring Western Electric, that the company takes off. Yet Vail doesn’t get the support he feels he needs, so he leaves the company. Bell’s patents expire and telephone companies proliferate the scene. In 1907, Vail joins AT&T (American Telephone & Telegraph) and convinces Bell and other companies to operate in exclusive areas, with a “One Policy, One System, Universal Service” motto. Equipment is standardized and operating companies are connected. In 1878, the switchboard is developed with operators connecting callers. Men put up telephone lines ( 05:22 ) throughout the U.S., and in 1915, the first transcontinental call between Bell, Watson, and Vail makes history. The introduction of coaxial cables allow for many more calls to be carried at the same time. Further developments include the first undersea cable ( 06:42 )…

- Kind: Film
- Genres: History, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/52634AnAmericanDream)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/52634AnAmericanDream?play=1)