Historical Events tagged with "coin device"
Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.
William Gray Granted Patent for Phone Coin Apparatus
William Gray from Hartford, Connecticut was awarded United States Patent Number 408,709 for his invention of a coin-controlled apparatus designed for telephones. This innovative device aimed to facilitate payphone operations by requiring coins before enabling the telephone connection. The patent signified a notable advancement in the telecommunications industry, paving the way for the widespread adoption of payphones in public spaces. Gray’s invention addressed the need for a system that would restrict telephone use to those willing to pay, making it a commercially viable venture.
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