Alexander Graham Bell
Alexander Graham Bell
One Man, A World Of Change
On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was working away in his laboratory when an extraordinary technological breakthrough occurred. Though he couldn’t have immediately understood the full scale of his discovery, a single sentence would alter history:
“Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”
These words, clearly transmitted through a telephone for the very first time, forever changed the way we communicate with each other.
While he is best known for the telephone, Bell’s impact on the world far exceeds that one invention. His ceaseless drive to create and innovate resulted in a variety of ground-breaking inventions—many of which we still see iterations of today.
Early Life and Influences
Photo: Portrait of Alexander Graham Bell, 1876, the year the telephone was patented.
Courtesy of Parks Canada.
Inquiring Minds
Alexander Graham Bell was born on March 3, 1847 in Edinburgh, Scotland. From a young age, Bell was greatly influenced by his surroundings and the people closest to him. His father encouraged him to experiment, while his mother taught him to be curious about the world around him. For a young Alec, this quickly developed into an inclination towards hands-on discovery and problem-solving.
In fact, he was only 12 years old when he created his first invention. After noticing how long it took to husk wheat grain, he went home and built a tool—with nail brushes and rotating paddles—that made the process easier.
Bell’s passion for creativity and innovation continued to grow, and that drive pushed him to keep inventing throughout all chapters of his life.
Canada, The Muse
Bell moved to Canada with his family in the summer of 1870. They settled in Brantford, Ontario, and Bell promptly set up a workshop for his experiments. A year later, he moved to Boston for work. Although Bell had established a career for himself in the United States, he would spend his summer vacations in Canada. It was in Brantford, near the Grand River at his special “dreaming place,” that Bell conceived what would become the telephone.
Canada would continue to play a big role in Bell’s life, especially in his later years. In 1886, Bell and his wife, Mabel Hubbard, purchased a large piece of land in Baddeck, Nova Scotia (situated in the centre of Cape Breton). They affectionally named their estate “Beinn Bhreagh,” which is Scottish Gaelic for “Beautiful Mountain.” Beinn Bhreagh not only became the couple’s summer home, but a place for exploration and innovation.
Photo: The main house at Beinn Bhreagh. Built in 1892-1893, the large and rambling house was the summer home for the Bell clan for many years.
Courtesy of Parks Canada.
The Invention of the Telephone
The First Transmission
Bell’s most famous invention, the telephone, was dreamt up in 1874 at his parents’ property in Brantford. His knowledge of the human ear, hearing, and speech contributed greatly to this discovery. Bell explained: “If I could make a current of electricity vary in intensity precisely as the air varies in density during the production of sound, I should be able to transmit speech telegraphically.”
Bell was granted a patent for the telephone on March 7, 1876. Three days later, he successfully transmitted human speech while running experiments on his new invention. Speaking through the instrument to Thomas Watson, his assistant a room away, Bell uttered those now famous words:
“Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”
And just like that, the telephone was born.
Photo: Alexander Graham Bell opening the New York - Chicago long distance line
Source: Library and Archives Canada/Historical photographs of individuals and groups, events and activities from across Canada collection/c014483
Photo: Bell Home, Brantford, Ont.
Source: Library and Archives Canada/Colborne Powell Meredith fonds/a026915
Telephone City
The story of the telephone is inextricably linked to Brantford, Ontario, which is why it has been nicknamed “the Telephone City.” The world’s first-ever long-distance phone call—over a distance of 13 kilometers—occurred on August 10, 1876 between Brantford and Paris, Ontario. The Bell family’s first North American residence and Bell’s “dreaming place” were located in Brantford. And finally, the first Canadian telephone factory opened in Brantford in 1879.
Impact and Other Inventions
Bell believed that there is nothing more powerful or enabling than inspiring innovation. His genuine curiosity kept him constantly searching, striving, and always wanting to learn and create.
Over the course of his life, Bell created a variety of devices, vehicles, and innovations. Some of Bell’s most notable inventions—specifically those with a focus on aeronautics, aviation, and hydrodynamics— came to life on Canadian soil at his estate and research laboratory in Baddeck.
Today, Bell’s inventions and innovations are everywhere you look.
Experience Bell’s inventions in 3D – visit our virtual museum today!
Photo: Workmen and a tetrahedral kite
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Tetrahedral kite
After coming to Cape Breton and experimenting with kites, Bell discovered the tetrahedral form. The tetrahedral kite was made of interlocking wood or metal rods which formed a pyramid. This design made it sturdy enough to carry a man and a motor.
Silver Dart
The Silver Dart was the first manned flight to fly in Canada. Though its first flight only lasted a minute, it was a major achievement. Its frame and structure were made of steel tube, bamboo, friction tape, wire, and wood. The wings were covered with rubberized, silvery balloon cloth, hence its name.
Photo: Silver Dart
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Photo: HD-4 Hydrofoil boat
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Hydrofoil Boat
Hydrofoil boats were designed to travel on water using the lift generated by their foils. Bell’s fascination with them began in 1906, and in 1919 he, and his associate Casey Baldwin, broke a world marine speed record with their HD-4 hydrofoil. They are still used today for racing and recreation.
AEA June Bug
The June Bug was a canard biplane, meaning its main elevator surfaces were located at the front of the craft rather than the back. It was named after the beetles that were in the air for its first flight, which was the first manned flight in public. Its design is still used in modern-day aircraft.
Photo: AEA June Bug
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Photo: Photophone
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Photophone
One of Bell’s favorite inventions, and proudest achievements, was the photophone. The first wireless communication device, the photophone set the foundation for today’s laser and fiber optic systems. It used mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a selenium receiver, turning the light into an electrical signal.
Audiometer
Still used today, the audiometer is a device used to measure hearing. It works by sending tones of varying pitches through headphones and recording how well the user hears them. The invention led to Bell’s name being used in the unit of sound measurement—the "decibel."
Photo: Audiometer
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Photo: Graphophone
Courtesy of Parks Canada
Graphophone
The graphophone, a new and improved version of the phonograph, was patented in 1886. It used a wax-coated cylinder in place of tinfoil which allowed for longer and better-quality recordings. Later iterations led to vinyl records which are still used today.
Bell the Educator
Bell spent many years, as an educator and researcher, exploring various methods to help the Deaf and hard of hearing communicate, including lip reading and speech therapy, and early sign language. As sign language developed in the 19th century and continued to evolve beyond Bell’s death in 1922, there existed, and still exists, complex debate surrounding the application and impact of these different teaching methods, and on how they were experienced by pupils. The role and agency of students, and their families, in selecting the methods they feel most appropriate is a central component of this ongoing debate on which multiple perspectives exist. Viewed in today’s context, methods focused on integrating the Deaf and hard of hearing within a hearing society are viewed by some as harmful and even as attacking the cultural validity and agency of the Deaf community itself.
At the heart of these passionate discussions lie far-reaching questions pertaining to: how the Deaf and hard of hearing are included by, and choose to adapt to, a world that remains largely audio-centric; the available educational choices and medical advancements; and the role of sign language as a cultural symbol and marker of identity. These important questions have transformed and evolved greatly since, and continue to demonstrate the diversity of views surrounding Bell’s work with the Deaf and hard of hearing.
A Legacy Of Innovation
As a scientist, inventor, and all-around visionary, Alexander Graham Bell constantly broke new and exciting ground. Forever dedicated to changing the world around him, Bell has done that and more through the legacy of inventions he left in his wake.
“The inventor looks upon the world and is not contented with things as they are. 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.” – Alexander Graham Bell
On the 175th anniversary of his birthday, we honour Bell’s many achievements and innovative spirit. The 2022 commemorative circulation coin is not only a celebration of Bell, but also a reminder of our collective role in building a brighter future for generations to come.
Photo: Licensing rights for usage of Bell images: Alexander & Mabel Bell Legacy Foundation
Thank You
