Final answer:
The device in question is a modem, which modulates and demodulates signals for data transmission between computers over telephone lines. It was crucial in the early days of the internet and remains relevant for data communication today.
Step-by-step explanation:
The device that detects signals and controls the flow of information between two computers communicating via telephone line is not an archive, but a modem. A modem, short for modulator-demodulator, is a hardware device that converts data into a format suitable for a transmission medium so it can be transmitted from computer to computer over telephone lines. The modem modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information.
The role of the modem was particularly crucial during the early days of the internet when dial-up connections were common. The telecommunications industry revolutionized how data, including computer software, financial advice, and other services, could be transmitted over long distances. Digital data, using binary ones and zeros, allows for clearer data transmission, especially when signals are weak, and makes it possible to compress the data to enhance transmission efficiency.
In modern times, while the technology has advanced beyond simple telephone lines, the principles of data transmission and the importance of modems in facilitating communication between computers across distances still hold significant relevance. Indeed, modern modems handle much higher data rates and can work with advanced telecommunications infrastructure.