I'm an expert in the history of communication technology, particularly with a focus on the development of the telephone and its impact on language and social interactions. It's a fascinating subject that intertwines the progress of technology with the evolution of human communication.

The telephone, as we know it today, was a revolutionary invention that transformed the way we communicate. It's widely acknowledged that Alexander Graham Bell is credited with the invention of the telephone, having been granted the patent for it on March 7, 1876. However, the story of how the word "hello" became associated with answering the telephone is a bit more nuanced.

The word "hello" has a history that predates the telephone. It was used as a general greeting before the invention of the telephone, but its association with the telephone is what truly cemented its place in our everyday language. Thomas Edison, the famous inventor and a contemporary of Bell, is often cited as having played a significant role in popularizing the use of "hello" as a telephone greeting. Edison, who was also involved in the development of the telephone, suggested that people should say "hello" when they answered the phone. His reasoning was that "hello" was a simple and easily understood word that could be used to initiate a conversation.

On the other hand, Alexander Graham Bell, who was Bell's rival in the development of the telephone, reportedly preferred the word "ahoy." "Ahoy" was a nautical term used to hail a ship, and Bell thought it would be a suitable term for answering the telephone. However, "hello" eventually won out and became the standard greeting on the telephone.

The transition from "ahoy" to "hello" as the standard telephone greeting is not well-documented, and there isn't a definitive account of who the first person was to say "hello" on the telephone. It's likely that the adoption of "hello" was gradual and influenced by various factors, including Edison's promotion of the word, the simplicity and universality of "hello," and the natural progression of language as people adapted to new forms of communication.

In conclusion, while it's difficult to pinpoint the exact first person to say "hello" on the telephone, it's clear that the word's popularity and widespread use as a telephone greeting can be attributed to the efforts of Thomas Edison. The adoption of "hello" reflects the dynamic nature of language and its ability to evolve with technological advancements.

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Hello didn't become "hi" until the telephone arrived. The dictionary says it was Thomas Edison who put hello into common usage. He urged the people who used his phone to say "hello" when answering. His rival, Alexander Graham Bell, thought the better word was "ahoy."Feb 17, 2011read more >>