Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the invention of the telephone, a groundbreaking development in communication technology. He was awarded U.S. Patent No. 174,465 for his method of transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically. Bell's work stemmed from his deep interest in sound, which was influenced by his family's background in communication. The first successful telephone call occurred on March 10, 1876, when Bell famously spoke to his assistant, Thomas Watson. This invention revolutionized how people connect over distances, paving the way for modern telecommunications and becoming a fundamental aspect of daily life.