Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.  Born in Scotland, Bell sought a greater understanding of deafness by studying sound and the mechanics of speech.  He was influenced by his father who invented visible speech. a code of symbols used to teach deaf people to speak.  The younger Bell moved to Boston, Massachusetts, to work at the Boston School for the Deaf in 1871 but he quickly opened his own school.  By 1873 he was teaching vocal physiology at Boston University.  Bell understood the concept of the telephone by 1874 but was not successful in transmitting a voice message until March 10, 1876, three days after the patent for his invention was issued.  He and partners formed Bell Telephone Company in 1877.  He helped develop Science, the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  He assisted in founding the National Geographic Society and supported experiments in aviation.


Additional Information Can Be Found At...

Alexander Graham Bell - Scottish Inventor

Alexander Graham Bell's Path to the Telephone

Inventors Online Museum presents Alexander Graham Bell

Invent Now -- Hall of Fame -- Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell - The Inventor

Alexander Graham Bell's Assistant - Lewis Howard Latimer


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