Show CARRIED 19 BILLION MESSAGES ME last year the american telephone system carried nineteen billion communications the total distance covered by these nineteen billion messages was over forty five billion miles forty six years ago there was one telephone in the world the instrument which bell invented today there is in the united states one telephone for every eight persons forty six years ago there were two telephone employees bell and his assistant today there are forty six years ago the worlds entire telephone plant could have been held in one mans hand today in this country alone there are among other items instruments upwards of central offices and miles of 0 wire the whole telephone plant showing a book cost of more than |