early 12c., one of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the sacred college (short for cardinalis ecclesiae Romanae or episcopus cardinalis), from Latin cardinalis principal, chief, essential (see cardinal (adj.)). Ecclesiastical use began for the presbyters of the chief (cardinal) churches of Rome.
In 1889, the rotary telephone dial was invented by Almon B. Strowger , a Kansas City undertaker. The first dial exchange was installed at La Porte, Indiana, in 1892. In 1943, Philadelphia was the last major area to give up dual service.
Ring My Bell. The telephone was invented in the 1870s. Alexander Graham Bell was the first person to register the invention of the telephone at the patent office. His competitor Elisha Gray registered a similar patent just a few hours after he did. The telephone came about because they were trying to improve the capabilities of the telegraph.