The Immediate Impact of the Telephone on New York
“In 1875 Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and in 1878 the first telephone was installed in Madison by Richard Johnson. It connected his home, the Johnson Starch Factory and the J. M. & I Railroad depot. It was a convenience for him and, by all accounts, a source of amusement for his family, especially his young daughter who took every opportunity to sing to people on the other end of the line.” – History Rescue Project
So, new tech invented in 1875, installed three years later, first person to use it extensively was a young girl. Sound familiar? The amazing thing is what happened next. One decade later, the pictures below show what New York City looked like with the telephone wires installed in less than ten years.
Telephone Wires over New York
c. 1887-1888:
Michael Bradley - Time Traveler 