Diffusion of Innovations

 This blog post will outline the development of the telephone and its correlation to communication through the lens of the Diffusion of innovations theory. The invention of the telephone changed how our society communicated and gave the world a new way to send and receive messages and data. 

Alexander Graham Bell first invented the telephone in 1876 during the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution is a significant part of history because it ushered in a new age of mass production and the rise of the middle class. During the Industrial Revolution, factories started using machines to mass-produce items, and the United States started producing more goods that could be sold worldwide. With this new influx of goods being produced, communication became a crucial element in selling and distributing these goods. 

photo of Alexander Graham Bell 

Through the 1860s and 1870s, Graham Bell was fascinated by communication technology and focused his time studying the relationship between human speech and the use of technology. One of his many early inventions was a receiver he created in 1875 that could turn electricity into sound. Bell called this device the 'acoustic telegraphy,' which allowed voice-like sounds to be heard across a wire. After securing a patent for his invention in 1876, Bell continued his work until he had a telephone that could communicate across the US. 

    Looking at this invention through the lens of the Diffusion Theory, it becomes apparent that this invention was successful because it solved the problem of long-distance communication. The Diffusion of innovations theory was developed by Everett Rogers 

photo of photo of Everett Rogers

and sought to explain how and why new technology and ideas spread and become popular. According to Rogers, five key elements influence how a new product or idea gains traction. These elements included the innovation itself, adopters, communication channels, time, and a social system. When looking at the development of the telephone, one of the main reasons this communication became so popular was the invention itself. The telephone provided a service that was in heavy demand, so one of the main reasons the idea took off was that the invention itself served a purpose. When looking at the beginning of a new technology or invention, early adopters and the early majority heavily influence if it becomes popular or not.

Diffusion of innovations theory

 Early adopters of new inventions, such as the telephone, have the potential to boost a product's popularity or destroy the invasion before it has even reached its target audience. So many people became early adopters of the telephone because they wanted to experience a new technology developed for communication. During the telephone early adopters phase, Bell demonstrated his invention at the "Smithsonian Castle Building during meetings of the newly formed National Academy of Sciences." This meeting was essential to the early adopter's phase because the influential individuals that attended this meeting had the potential to share this invention with their audiences. As a result of this meeting, telephones were installed in all Smithsonian buildings in 1878. 

Individuals considered late adopters in the invention of the telephone did not link change or new technology. While the telephone was new and exciting for most people, some wanted to keep using snail mail or face-to-face contact. While letting go of past tendencies is easy for some, others struggle to let go of habits deep-rooted in their lifestyle. These individuals were considered late adopters of the telephone because they only used the technology after most people did. 

Some of the negative impacts the development of the telephone had on individuals were decreased face-to-face communication. With the invention of the telephone, people did not have to leave their homes to be able to communicate

switchboard operators

 with the people they loved. While this was convenient, it also meant that people did not physically have to see the person to communicate with them. Another negative impact of the telephone was state and national security. Security was yet to be a priority when telephones were first introduced into the market. This meant that many conversations were listened in on or monitored by switch operators. 

In conclusion, I can theorize through the Diffusion Theory that the positive effects of telephones outweigh the adverse effects. While safety and security were significant issues that needed to be solved, the telephone has changed how people community. The invention of the telephone allowed people from around the world the ability to communicate without having to be face to face. The invention of the telephone will continue to change as time passes, but this invention has altered the lives of people worldwide and changed how information is communicated.