About this episode

This episode explores the significance of the word 'Hello' and its impact on communication during a transformative period in history.

The word Hello showed up just as the world was changing . . . in the absolute biggest ways ever. Nothing was the same after "Hello". In this episode we cross paths with Michigan J Frog, Tin Pan Alley, the Phonograph, Western Union, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Alexander Graham Bell, Scott Joplin, the telephone operator, Thomas Edison and J. N. Pattison.

People in this episode

Host: Dan R. Morris

Topics covered

• language evolution
• communication
• historical figures
• technology
• 20th century history

Keywords

• Hello
• communication
• 20th century
• Alexander Graham Bell
• phonograph
• Tin Pan Alley
• Scott Joplin
• Thomas Edison

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Western Union

Products: Phonograph

Books & works: Michigan J Frog

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• Episode 75: The Conversation: The Real Forrest Gump · March 10, 2026 · 24 min
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