Final answer:
The first telephone was patented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, leading to a transformation in communication and the eventual rise of smartphones with the introduction of the iPhone in 2007.
Step-by-step explanation:
The advent of the first telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell marked a revolutionary leap in communication technology. Bell's patent facilitated rapid advancements in the way people connected, leading to the establishment of the National Bell Telephone Company, later evolving into AT&T. This technological evolution experienced a pivotal moment in 2007 with the release of Apple's iPhone, which combined the utility of a personal computer with a cell phone, offering a touch-screen interface and wireless internet connectivity, spurring a new era of smartphone development.