Alexander Graham Bell, best known for his invention of the telephone, revolutionized communication as we know it. His interest in sound technology was deep-rooted and personal, as both his wife and mother were deaf. Ultimately, the talented scientist held more than 18 patents for his inventions and work in communications. Young Alexander was an intellectually curious child who studied piano and began inventing things at an early age. Both of his brothers passed away from tuberculosis by the time Bell was in his early twenties. When he was just 12, the young Alexander invented a device with rotating paddles and nail brushes that could quickly remove husks from wheat grain to help improve a farming process.
At age 16, Bell began studying the mechanics of speech. In , Bell, along with his family, moved to Canada. The following year, he settled in the United States. While in the U. In , he opened the School of Vocal Physiology and Mechanics of Speech in Boston, where deaf people were taught to speak.
While teaching, Bell met Mabel Hubbard, a deaf student. The couple married on July 11, They went on to have four children, including two sons who died as infants. In , Bell started working on the harmonic telegraph — a device that allowed multiple messages to be transmitted over a wire at the same time. While trying to perfect this technology, which was backed by a group of investors, Bell became preoccupied with finding a way to transmit human voice over wires. By , Bell, with the help of his partner Thomas Watson, had come up with a simple receiver that could turn electricity into sound.
On March 7, , Bell was granted his telephone patent. Watson, come here. I want you. In , the U. In addition to the telephone, Bell worked on hundreds of projects throughout his career and received patents in various fields. Some of his other notable inventions were:. In , Bell was awarded the French Volta Prize, and with the money, he founded a facility devoted to scientific discovery, the Volta Laboratory in Washington, D. Bell invented numerous techniques to help teach speech to the deaf and even worked with well-known author and activist Helen Keller.
He also helped launch Science magazine , and from to served as president of the National Geographic Society. In , Bell was given the controversial title of honorary president at the Second International Congress of Eugenics. Later in his life, Bell focused on aviation and hydrofoil inventions. Some famous quotes attributed to Bell include:. Bell died on August 2, , at the age of 75 in Nova Scotia, Canada. The cause of his death was complications from diabetes. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Today, the famous scientist is remembered for his groundbreaking work in sound technology and improving education for the deaf. His best-known invention, the telephone, forever changed the way humans communicate with each other. Alexander Graham Bell. History: Alexander Graham Bell. Famous Scientists. Who is credited with inventing the telephone? The Library of Congress. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us!
Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. He was an immigrant. Bell was born on March 3, , in Edinburgh, Scotland. After attending school in Scotland and London, the year-old immigrated to Canada with his parents in Italian inventor and engineer Guglielmo Marconi developed, demonstrated and marketed the first successful long-distance wireless telegraph and in broadcast the first transatlantic radio signal.
On September 1, , a Boston woman named Emma Nutt made history—and all she had to do was pick up the phone. Her soothing voice helped usher in a new era of telecommunications and In his 84 years, Thomas Edison acquired a record number of 1, patents singly or jointly and was the driving force behind such innovations as the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and one of the earliest motion picture cameras.
He was an impassioned champion of a strong federal government, and played a key role in defending Serbian-American engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla made dozens of breakthroughs in the production, transmission and application of electric power. He invented the first alternating current AC motor and developed AC generation and transmission technology. In , Connecticut-born gun manufacturer Samuel Colt received a U.
Colt founded a company to manufacture his revolving-cylinder pistol; however, sales were slow and the By turns charismatic and ruthless, brilliant and power hungry, diplomatic and The internet got its start in the United States more than 50 years ago as a government weapon in the Cold War. For years, scientists and This Day In History. Telephone In , Bell started working on the harmonic telegraph — a device that allowed multiple messages to be transmitted over a wire at the same time.
While the Bell Company faced over court challenges, in the end, none were successful. Inventions and Accomplishments In addition to the telephone, Bell worked on hundreds of projects throughout his career and received patents in various fields. Some of his other notable inventions were: The metal detector: Bell initially came up with this device to locate a bullet inside of assassinated President James A.
Photophone: The photophone allowed transmission of speech on a beam of light. Graphophone: This improved version of the phonograph could record and play back sound.
Audiometer: This gadget was used to detect hearing problems. Eugenics In , Bell was given the controversial title of honorary president at the Second International Congress of Eugenics. Successful ideas are the result of slow growth. He wants to improve whatever he sees, he wants to benefit the world; he is haunted by an idea. The spirit of invention possesses him, seeking materialization. Sources Alexander Graham Bell.
Alexander Graham Bell's Early Recordings. Alexander Hamilton. Guglielmo Marconi Italian inventor and engineer Guglielmo Marconi developed, demonstrated and marketed the first successful long-distance wireless telegraph and in broadcast the first transatlantic radio signal.
Thomas Edison In his 84 years, Thomas Edison acquired a record number of 1, patents singly or jointly and was the driving force behind such innovations as the phonograph, the incandescent light bulb and one of the earliest motion picture cameras.
Nikola Tesla Serbian-American engineer and physicist Nikola Tesla made dozens of breakthroughs in the production, transmission and application of electric power.