So it seems someone else invented the telephone switching system and implemented it before a single telephone was invented.
This reminds me of a portion of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
The Jatravartids are a race of creatures that live on Viltvodle VI. They have blue skin and fifty arms each. They are the only race of people who invented the aerosol deodorant before the wheel.
...and they still beat the niggers at inventing the wheel.
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