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Thomas Augustus Watson was born January 18, 1854, in Salem, Massachusetts.
His practical knowledge and skills in electrical engineering and mechanics were
largely self-taught, acquired through his work as a machinist and electrician. He
did not attend college but learned extensively through hands-on experience. Watson
began his career working at the electrical machine shop of Charles Williams in Boston.
This shop was known for its work in telegraphy and electrical devices. In 1874,
Alexander Graham Bell, who was experimenting with ways to transmit sound electronically,
hired Watson as his assistant. Watson's technical skills were essential in turning
Bell's ideas into working prototypes. He worked closely with Bell to develop and
refine the necessary components. On March 10, 1876, the first successful telephone
message was transmitted. Bell's famous words, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to
see you," were heard by Watson, marking the first instance of a clear, understandable
voice transmission over a wire. Watson continued to work with Bell to improve and
commercialize the telephone. He was involved in setting up the first telephone exchange
and contributed to the early growth of the telephone industry. After his work with
Bell, Watson pursued various other interests. He established a successful shipbuilding
company, Fore River Ship and Engine Company, which later became a significant shipbuilding
enterprise in the United States. Thomas A. Watson died on December 13, 1934. See
