Nineteenth Century History : 1875 – 1899

1875 Telephone invented (see 1876). Electric dental drill patented by George Green. Siegfried Marcus patents an internal combustion engine. While using paraffin in an attempt to invent and improve telegraphy tape, Thomas Alva Edison discovers a way to make duplicate copies of documents instead.

1876 Alexander Graham Bell receives patent for the invention of the telephone one hour before Elisha Gray would apply for it. (There is evidence that Gray’s invention came first.) Gray sends music down the phone line before speech. Rutherford Hayes elected US President. Emily Tassey patents apparatus for raising sunken vessels. Melville Bissell patents a carpet-sweeper. British beer Bass Pale Ale becomes the first product to receive a trademark. Nikolaus A Otto and Francis and William Crossley introduce a gas-motor engine. A horse named Comanche is s the only survivor from the losing side at the Battle of Little Big Horn.