Alexander Graham Bell: The Path to the Telephone Lauren Peters, Mentee Prepared for AAM Course 195 Furman University

Alexander Graham Bell Best known for: The Invention of the Telephone

Background Information: Before the Telephone Bell’s mother was deaf.Bell’s father was a speech professor. Bell’s interest in sound and speech began early in life.

Background Information: Before the Telephone Bell’s interest in science also began early in life. Bell, age 11, wrote “The Cottage.” “The Cottage” included basic scientific observations.

“The Cottage”: A Collection of Scientific Observations The Cottage The Lightning flashed, The Thunder crashed, The Rain fell fast and quick; My Cottage roof Was Water-proof, The Halls were strong and thick. The Thunder roared, The Rain it poured, My Cottage stood quite strong; The Wind it blew Right through and through, Then stopped short like this song. Written by Alex Bell (age 11 ½) Oct. 14, 1858

Beyond Observation: Early Experiments with Sound As a teenager, Bell experimented with sound in a two-part investigation. Part One “How does a voice box work?” Bell manipulated a sheep’s voice box. Bell made the sheep cry, “Mama!” Location of human voice box

Beyond Observation: Early Experiments with Sound As a teenager, Bell experimented with sound in a two-part investigation. Part Two “Can sound be manipulated?” Bell experimented on the family dog. Bell helped turn growls into “words.” The result: “Ow ah oo, ga-ma-ma?” (How are you grandmother?)

Into Adulthood: Continued Interest in Sound Bell researched and taught: Adult speech and elocution Children with hearing and speech difficulties College courses in vocal pathology Top Right: Alexander Graham Bell

The Next Step: Transmitting Sound Bell met electrician Thomas Watson Together Bell and Watson – –Sketched prototypes for transmitting sound – –Built based on their drawings – –Tested multiple prototypes – –Filed for a patent

“Mr. Watson…come here… I want to see you…” March 10, 1876 Bell and Watson were working separately Bell called to Watson Watson heard Bell, through the telephone!

Credits All photographs are courtesy of: The Library of Congress The American Memory Collection The Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers The Telephony Museum Collection