Ezra Gilliland

Ezra Torrance Gilliland (June 17, 1845 – May 13, 1903) was an inventor who designed the telephone switchboard and the magneto bell. Gilliland had a laboratory in his home and "kept seven expert electricians employed" as he worked on his ideas.

Gilliland was a friend and colleague of Thomas Edison and the two worked together on many projects. They met as young men and called each other "Damon and Pythias" because of their close friendship. Gilliland wrote frequently in trade journals promoting Edison's inventions. The two were business partners, even occupying adjacent vacation homes in Fort Myers, Florida, until 1889 when they had a falling out over business dealings.

Personal life Gilliland was born in Cuba, New York. They moved to Pelham, New York in the early 1890s.