James Gleick releases new book "The Telephone" exploring phone etiquette and early social networking

James Gleick's new book, The Telephone, examines how the telephone shaped communication habits. The book looks at the origins of phone etiquette and the early ideas that resemble a social network. Gleick, known for writing on science and technology history, says the work connects past telephone culture with today’s digital interactions. He points out that early callers set polite rules that later influenced online behavior. The title also traces how the telephone acted as a first step toward connecting people beyond immediate circles. NPR clarifies that it does not accept money for coverage or interviews and that any such offers do not represent the organization. ## Context The telephone, invented in the late 1800s, revolutionized personal and business communication, laying groundwork for later digital networks. Understanding its early social rules helps explain why modern platforms still rely on etiquette and connection habits.