While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

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Exploring the history of the telephone and how it reshaped the world

NPR | By Debbie Elliott,

Zephyr Weinreich, Daniel Ofman

Published July 25, 2026 at 4:04 PM CDT

As part of NPR's 250th anniversary series America in Pursuit, we're taking a look back at one of America's most significant inventions: the telephone.

Debbie Elliott

NPR National Correspondent Debbie Elliott can be heard telling stories from her native South. She covers the latest news and politics, and is attuned to the region's rich culture and history.

Zephyr Weinreich

Daniel Ofman