"To illustrate to the Indians the advantages the white race had in the telephone I divided a body of warriors from Sitting Bull's camp into two parties and had them talk to each other over the telephone line"
- Nelson A. Miles
About this Quote
This quote by Nelson A. Miles highlights the power of the telephone in the late 19th century. Miles was a U.S. Army officer who was charged with presenting the telephone to the Native American tribes. To show the advantages of the telephone, he divided a group of warriors from Sitting Bull's camp into two parties and had them talk with each other over the telephone line. This quote demonstrates how Miles had the ability to use the telephone to bridge the gap between the Native Americans and the white inhabitants. It also demonstrates the power of the telephone to connect individuals over fars away. The telephone was an advanced development that permitted individuals to communicate with each other rapidly and quickly. Miles' presentation of the telephone to the Native Americans was an effective example of how technology can be utilized to bridge cultural divides.
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