In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was awarded a patent for his invention of the telephone. This groundbreaking device allowed for the transmission of voice over long distances using electrical signals. Bell's patent, officially numbered 174,465, described a method for converting sound waves into electrical currents and then back into sound. The telephone revolutionized communication, making it possible for people to talk to each other in real-time, regardless of distance. Bell's invention laid the foundation for modern telecommunications and has had a lasting impact on how we connect and share information today.