Antonio Meucci was born near Florence in 1808. He studied mechanical engineering in school. In 1834 he easily gained employment as the lead mechanic at the Teatro delle Pergola whereby he designed an acoustic device to communicate between the stage and control room of the theatre. This “pipe telephone” is still in use today.

Meucci married Esterre Mochi, a costume designer who also worked at the Teatro. Politics was becoming dangerous in Italy due to the fervent support he gave to the Risorgimento movement. Consequently, he was being watched closely by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.