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Alexander Graham Bell

Inventor of the telephone

Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born Canadian-American inventor, scientist, and engineer. He patented the first practical telephone and co-founded AT&T. Bell's family background and personal experiences influenced his work on hearing and speech. He also made significant contributions to optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Bell's interest in heredity led to important studies in the field.

Related

Telephone Benjamin Graham Alan Turing James Clerk Maxwell Alexander Fleming Benjamin Franklin Wright brothers Arthur Balfour Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Albert Einstein

Timeline

Alexander Graham Bell's Birth

Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847, in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Alexander Melville Bell and Eliza Symonds Bell. He was the second of three sons.

Alexander Graham Bell born

Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish-born inventor of the telephone, was born on March 3, 1847.

Alexander Graham Bell adopts the name Graham

In 1858, Alexander Graham Bell adopts the name Graham out of admiration for Alexander Graham, a family friend, and becomes known as Alexander Graham Bell.

Bell invents his first machine

Bell invents his first machine at the age of 12, which could clean wheat grains and remove the husks. This marked the beginning of his journey as an inventor.

Development of Visible Speech

In April 1864, Alexander Melville Bell creates Visible Speech, a universal alphabet that represents all human voice sounds with symbols.

Invention of Visible Speech

Alexander Graham Bell invented a language called Visible Speech to help deaf people communicate orally. This invention was particularly important to the Bell family as Alexander's mother started losing her hearing when he was young.

Bell's Invention of the Phonautograph

On June 10, 1874, Alexander Graham Bell invented the Phonautograph, an early device for recording sound. This invention laid the foundation for his future work in communication technology.

Bell invents the telephone

On June 2, 1875, Alexander Graham Bell, while experimenting on the phonoautograph, a machine that helps plot sound waves, came up with the idea of a telephone. He hired an assistant named Thomas Watson during this time.

Bell Invents the Telephone

On January 1, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell successfully invented the telephone.

Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone

Alexander Graham Bell, the Scottish-born inventor, patented the telephone on January 23, 1876, revolutionizing communication.

Filing of Telephone Patent by Alexander Graham Bell

On February 14, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell filed a patent for his telephone invention at the U.S. Patent Office, just two hours before his rival Elisha Gray filed a declaration of intent for a similar device. This marked a crucial moment in the history of communication technology.

Alexander Graham Bell receives patent for the telephone

On March 7, 1876, Bell receives a patent for technology that would transmit the human voice: the telephone. This patent marks a significant milestone in the history of communication.

First successful telephone call

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call to his assistant, saying 'Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.'

Alexander Graham Bell makes first successful telephone call

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call to his assistant, saying 'Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.'

First Telephone Conversation

On October 9, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson had the first wire conversation over a two-mile wire between Cambridge and Boston. This marked the beginning of telephone communication.

Bell gets first long-distance call

On August 3, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first long-distance call using his telephone invention, showcasing its effectiveness in transmitting sound over a distance.

First Two-Way Telephone Conversation

The first two-way conversation over a telephone line occurred on October 9, 1876, between Cambridge and Boston. Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson engaged in a reciprocal conversation, with Bell in Boston and Watson in the Walworth Manufacturing Company offices.

Marriage of Alexander Graham Bell and Mabel Hubbard

Despite a 10-year age difference, Alexander Graham Bell and Mabel Hubbard, one of Bell's students, fell in love and got married on July 11, 1877. They had four children together.

Bell's Telephone Demonstration to Queen Victoria

On January 14, 1878, at Osborne House, Bell demonstrated the telephone device to Queen Victoria, making the first publicly witnessed long-distance telephone calls in the UK. The queen found the process extraordinary.

First Wireless Voice Telephone Message

On June 21, 1880, Bell's assistant transmitted a wireless voice telephone message from the roof of the Franklin School in Washington, D.C., to Bell at his laboratory, 700 feet away. Bell considered this achievement with the photophone as his greatest invention.

Married Mabel Hubbard

In 1881, he married Mabel Hubbard, a union that had a lasting impact on his personal and professional life.

Invention of the Graphophone

Alexander Graham Bell also developed the Graphophone in 1886. The Graphophone was an improved version of the phonograph, which could record and reproduce sound.

U.S. Government moves to annul Bell's telephone patent

The U.S. Government attempted to invalidate Alexander Graham Bell's telephone patent on the grounds of fraud and misrepresentation. After a series of legal battles, the Bell company ultimately won a decision in the Supreme Court.

Becoming President of the National Geographic Society

In 1888, Alexander Graham Bell became the President of the National Geographic Society. His involvement in this organization showcased his interest in exploration and geography.

Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers at the Library of Congress

In August 1890, the Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers were housed at the Library of Congress.

Bell's Experiments with Motor-Powered Aircraft

In 1891, Alexander Graham Bell began experiments to develop motor-powered heavier-than-air aircraft. The Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) was formed during this time with the vision to fly, inspired by Bell's wife's suggestion to seek young help.

Inauguration of New York City–Chicago Telephone Link

Alexander Graham Bell inaugurated the 1,520-km (944-mile) telephone link between New York City and Chicago on October 18, 1892.

Opening of Long-Distance Line from New York to Chicago

In 1897, Alexander Graham Bell was present at the opening of the long-distance line connecting New York to Chicago. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of telecommunications.

Becoming the second president of the National Geographic Society

Alexander Graham Bell served as the second president of the National Geographic Society from January 7, 1898, until 1903. During his tenure, he had a strong influence on the society and its magazine.

Bell elected Regent of the Smithsonian Institution

On December 30, 1899, Alexander Graham Bell was elected as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution.

Alexander Graham Bell passed away

Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, passed away leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to influence communication technology.

Formation of the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA)

In October 1907, the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) was officially formed at Baddeck, Nova Scotia, with the financial support of Bell's wife Mabel. The AEA aimed to advance aerospace engineering research and was headed by Bell, along with other founding members including Glenn H. Curtiss and Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge.

First Public Flight in North America by AEA

On March 12, 1908, the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) achieved the first public flight in North America with their biplane, the Red Wing, over Keuka Lake. This marked a significant milestone in the history of aviation, showcasing the group's innovative designs and contributions to flight technology.

First Fatality in Powered Heavier-Than-Air Flight

Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge became the first person killed in a powered heavier-than-air flight during a crash of the Wright Flyer at Fort Myer, Virginia, on September 17, 1908. This tragic event highlighted the risks and challenges faced in the early days of aviation development.

First Aircraft Flight in Canada with the Silver Dart

On February 23, 1909, the Silver Dart, the final aircraft design of the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), made the first aircraft flight in Canada. Piloted by J. A. D. McCurdy, this successful flight demonstrated the advancements in aviation technology achieved by the AEA.

First Transcontinental Phone Call by Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell makes the first transcontinental phone call.

World Marine Speed Record Set by HD-4

On September 9, 1919, Bell's HD-4 hydrofoil set a world marine speed record of 70.86 miles per hour, a record that stood for ten years.

Served as honorary president at the Second International Congress of Eugenics

In 1921, he took on the role of honorary president at the Second International Congress of Eugenics, showcasing his influence beyond the field of communication.

Death of Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell passed away at 2 o'clock in the morning on August 2, 1922, at his estate near Baddeck. His health had been deteriorating throughout his seventy-sixth year, and his death came unexpectedly. His family was by his side, allowing him to peacefully pass away.

Alexander Graham Bell inducted into Hall of Fame

In 1950, Alexander Graham Bell was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the field of communication, particularly for inventing the telephone.

The First Phone Call

On April 3, 1973, the first-ever phone call was made by Martin Cooper in New Jersey.

End of the Timeline
Alexander Graham Bell

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