Bell

A bell is a simple sound-making machine. In its most classical form it is a [church bell]?. Bells can be of all sizes: From dress accessories to church bells literally weighing tons. Bells are common for raising attention, and the word is also used for the ringer in telephones, on bicycles and in [door bell]?s.

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The Bell telephone company was founded by Alexander Graham Bell. In the 19th century Bell was acquired by AT&T, often called Ma Bell, which maintained a telephone monopoly in the United States until 1984. The breakup of AT&T led to the creation of seven regional phone companies, called Baby Bells. The name persists in companies such as [Pacific Bell]? and [Southwestern Bell]?, which are now brands of [SBC Communications]?.

See also telephone, AT&T, Bell Labs, and Lucent.