See how the phone has changed since Alexander Graham Bell's 1876 invention

Alexander Graham Bell patented the first phone in 1876.

In the nearly 150 years since phones have evolved from the bulky earliest models to the smartphones of today.

Phones have gone from a strange new technology to an essential part of daily life.

In 1876, inventor Alexander Graham Bell patented the first phone: a bulky device with a curved mouthpiece and earpiece connected by wires. It looked much different than the iPhones of today.

In recognition of Bell's birthday on March 3, we're taking a look back at the design evolution of the phone over the past 144 years.

The Smithsonian Institution recently made 2.8 million images from its 19 museums, plus research centers, archives, and the National Zoo available online. Check out some of these phones below, starting with Alexander Graham Bell's first 19th-century phone.

Leanna Garfield contributed to an earlier version of this...