Hello's popularity stems largely from its association with the telephone and its simple, direct purpose: to address an unknown person at the other end of the line.
Thomas Edison is credited with popularizing "hello" as the standard telephone greeting. Before this, phrases like "Do I get you?" and "Are you there?" were common. Edison advocated for "hello" because it was straightforward and efficient, effectively solving the problem of initiating conversation with an unseen party. Its adoption was swift and widespread, cementing its place as the go-to greeting for telephone calls. Over time, it transcended its original context and became a universal greeting in various social situations. The simplicity and universality of "hello" contribute significantly to its continued popularity today.
