Final answer:
The telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, revolutionized communication, promoted urban growth, and aided business and social connections in the late 1800s, also leading to the rise of AT&T and the advancement of women in clerical work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alexander Graham Bell's most famous invention, the telephone, made an immense contribution to life in the late 1800s by transforming the way people communicated. Initially patented in 1876, the telephone rapidly became the preferred method of communication, outpacing the telegraph. By allowing instant communication over larger distances, it helped bridge the gap of rural isolation, fostered urban development, and became integral for business operations. With Bell's patent secured, the formation of the National Bell Telephone Company and its evolution into the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) ensured that by 1900, over 1.35 million telephones were in use across the United States. Additionally, Bell's telephone facilitated the advancement of women in the workforce, particularly in clerical jobs, and underscored the Second Industrial Revolution by creating a demand for new raw materials.