Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell

Early Life

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 3, 1847. Even as a child, he showed talent for invention. At just eleven years old, he created a machine to clean wheat. Bell studied anatomy and physiology at the University of London, but in 1870 he moved with his family to Quebec, Canada.

Working with the Deaf

Bell moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1871. There, he began teaching and working with deaf students. He published the Visible Speech system, developed by his father, which used symbols to show how the tongue, lips, and throat make sounds. In 1872, he founded a school for the deaf, which later became part of Boston University.

The Invention of the Telephone

While experimenting with ways to send multiple messages on a single wire, Bell heard the sound of a plucked string carried through the wire. His assistant, Thomas A. Watson, was working on a transmitter at the time. Bell realized he might be able to send the human voice over a wire. On March 7, 1876, he received a patent for his invention. Just three days later, on March 10, Bell successfully sent the first message over a telephone: “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” This patent became one of the most valuable in history.

Alexander Graham Bell Patent Drawing
Drawing of Telephone as part of Bell's 1876 Patent Application

Other Inventions and Achievements

Bell also invented an early air conditioner and a “photophone,” which sent sound through a beam of light—a forerunner of modern fiber optics and laser communication. In 1898, Bell and his son-in-law took over the National Geographic Society, transforming its magazine into a world-famous publication. Bell also helped found *Science* magazine.

Death

Alexander Graham Bell died on August 2, 1922. In his honor, all telephone service in the United States was silenced for one minute on the day of his burial.

Discussion Questions

  1. What was Alexander Graham Bell trying to achieve when he invented the telephone?
  2. How did Bell’s work with the deaf influence his inventions?
  3. Why was the telephone patent considered so valuable?
  4. What impact did Bell have on communication beyond the telephone?

Glossary

  • Patent – A legal document that gives an inventor exclusive rights to make and sell an invention for a certain period.
  • Transmitter – A device that sends out signals, such as sound or radio waves.
  • Fiber optics – Technology that uses thin glass or plastic fibers to send data as light signals.
  • Visible Speech – A system of symbols that shows how speech sounds are formed in the mouth and throat.
  • Photophone – A device invented by Bell to send sound on a beam of light.

Five Interesting Facts

  1. Bell invented the telephone at age 29.
  2. His first words over the telephone were to his assistant, Thomas A. Watson.
  3. The “photophone” was one of Bell’s favorite inventions.
  4. He was president of the National Geographic Society for many years.
  5. All telephone calls in the U.S. stopped for one minute during his burial.

Timeline

  • 1847 – Born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • 1858 – Invented a wheat-cleaning machine at age 11.
  • 1870 – Moved to Quebec, Canada.
  • 1871 – Moved to Boston to work with the deaf.
  • 1872 – Founded a school for the deaf.
  • 1876 – Patented the telephone and made the first call.
  • 1898 – Took over National Geographic Society.
  • 1922 – Died in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Early Life

Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 3, 1847. At age eleven, he invented a machine to clean wheat. He studied in London before moving with his family to Quebec, Canada, in 1870.

Work with the Deaf

In 1871, Bell moved to Boston to work with deaf students. He taught using a system called Visible Speech, made by his father. In 1872, he started a school for the deaf, later part of Boston University.

The Telephone

While trying to send many messages on one wire, Bell heard a plucked string’s sound travel through it. He realized he could send voices over wires. He patented the telephone on March 7, 1876, and made the first call three days later.

Later Work and Death

Bell also invented an early air conditioner and the “photophone,” a light-based sound transmitter. In 1898, he helped lead the National Geographic Society. He died on August 2, 1922, and phones in the U.S. went silent for one minute in his honor. Ask
Alexander Graham Bell Activities