2018/11/04 by John Reid, John S. Reid, Reid, John S. +2
Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · #FOS: Physical sciences #Historical Influence and Diplomacy #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #physics.hist-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1811.01357
10 pages, 9 embedded figures
arxiv created 2018/11/04 · openalex publication_date 2018/11/04 · arxiv updated 2018/11/06 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A telephone sender following the design of Johann Philipp Reis made by W Ladd, London 1863, in the Natural Philosophy Collection of the University of Aberdeen is illustrated and described. How Reis came to invent a telephone some 15 years before Graham Bell's patent is discussed, with 19th century illustrations. The method employed by Reis is outlined and contemporary letters by Reis are reproduced, including an extensive letter to the instrument maker William Ladd. The origin of the Aberdeen instrument is given and some of the reasons why Bell was granted his patent in spite of the existence of Reis's instrument are suggested. The monument to Reis erected after his early death is shown.