Elisha Gray was an American inventor and electrical engineer, best known for his work in the field of telecommunications. Born on August 2, 1835, he is often remembered for his invention of the telephone, which he developed around the same time as Alexander Graham Bell. Gray's design included a liquid transmitter, which was a significant advancement in sound transmission technology. In addition to the telephone, Gray contributed to various inventions, including the harmonic telegraph, which allowed multiple messages to be sent over a single wire. He founded the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, which played a crucial role in the development of electrical equipment and communication technologies in the late 19th century. Gray passed away on January 21, 1901.