Which inventor patented the telephone in the United States in 1876?

Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in the United States in 1876.

Bell’s patent, issued on March 7, 1876, described methods for transmitting vocal sounds electrically. A few days later, Bell made the famous experimental call to his assistant Thomas Watson, reportedly saying, “Mr. Watson—come here—I want to see you.”

The telephone’s history involved several inventors. Elisha Gray filed a telephone-related caveat on the same day as Bell’s patent application, while Antonio Meucci had earlier developed voice-transmission devices. Nevertheless, Bell received the key U.S. patent and became the figure most associated with the telephone’s commercialization.

Bell later helped establish the Bell Telephone Company, which began operating in 1877.