15 Interesting Facts About Alexander Graham Bell

Introduction:

Alexander Graham Bell is one of the most revered inventors and innovators of our time. He is most famous for inventing the telephone, but there are many more interesting facts about him that are lesser-known but equally fascinating. In this article, we willlook look at 15 interesting facts about Alexander Graham Bell and his accomplishments.

Fact 1: He Was a Professor of Music

Alexander Graham Bell found fame as an inventor and innovator, but he was first a professor of music. He was highly dedicated to helping deaf people, and drew upon his musical background to develop the vowel system for the phonetic alphabet. He used this in teaching deaf people the basics of communication.

Fact 2: His First Invention Was an Improvement to a Hydrophone

Before inventing the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell invented an improved version of the hydrophone — an underwater version of the telephone. Bell’s version could transmit sound from a submerged object both accurately and efficiently. This invention highlighted his technological abilities and set the stage for his future inventions.

Fact 3: He Considered Other Alternatives to the Telephone

In addition to the telephone, Bell considered other alternatives for communicating over a distance. These included a photophone, which used light to transmit sound, as well as the mechanical speaking telegraph and an induction telegraph.

Fact 4: Bell’s First Call Was to His Assistant

Bell’s first ever telephone call was made on March 10th 1876 to his assistant, a man by the name of Thomas Watson. His words were simple yet poignent: “Mr. Watson — come here — I want to see you.” This call marked a historic turning point for communications all over the world.

Fact 5: Bell Was an Early Supporter of Aviation

In addition to inventing the telephone, Bell was a pioneering supporter of early aviation techniques. He was a keen experimenter in aviation, and was involved in the development of both the helicopter and a hydrofoil boat. He even provided financial backing to the famous Wright brothers as they developed their first airplane.

Fact 6: He Was an Expert in Multiple Disciplines

Alexander Graham Bell was a multi-talented individual with expertise in multiple disciplines. He studied anatomy, biology, physics, genetics and many related sciences. He even conducted his own experiments and discoveries in physiology.

Fact 7: Bell Too Was Deaf

Alexander Graham Bell, despite developing a tool to help the hearing-impaired, was himself deaf. He was diagnosed with deafness at a young age and grew up fluent in sign language. Despite this disability, Bell was an ambitious individual who inspired thousands of people with his inventiveness.

Fact 8: He Helped Shape the American Telephone Industry

In the late 1800s, Bell was instrumental in setting up America’s first telephone exchange in New Haven, Connecticut. He had also set up an exchange in Boston and was actively involved in setting up the infrastructure for the telephone industry in the US.

Fact 9: He Was the Founder of Bell Telephone Company

In 1877, Bell founded the Bell Telephone Company, a predecessor of the famous AT&T Corporation. This company was one of the first of its kind in the world and provided telephones services throughout the US. Bell served as the President of the company until his death in 1922.

Fact 10: Bell Was One of the Founding Members of the National Geographic Society

In 1888, Bell was one of the founding members of the National Geographic Society. He served as a director for six years and was an avid supporter of the Society’s mission. Bell was also involved in other philanthropic organizations which provided assistance for deaf and other disabled people.

Fact 11: Bell Was an Advocate for Education

Bell also believed strongly in the importance ofeducation. He supported his father’s work in teaching the deaf, and was an ardent proponent of educational reform. He helped start the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf and the English-Speaking Union.

Fact 12: He Was Awarded the Volta Prize by the French Government

In 1880, Bell was awarded the Volta Prize, an award presented by the French government to recognize inventors and innovators in the field of telecommunications. Bell was recognized for his contributions to the telephone industry and its growth in the US and around the world.

Fact 13: Bell Contributed to the Development of the Iron Lung

Throughout his lifetime, Bell had a passion for healthcare and medical science. He helped develop the first iron lung to assist medical patients who could not breathe on their own. This device revolutionized the way medical patients were treated and is still in use today.

Fact 14: He Was the First to Receive a Patent for the Telephone

Bell was the first to ever receive a patent for the telephone, and it was granted in the US in 1876. This patent marked the first ever instance of a human voice being transmitted electronically over a distance. It also changed the way people communicated for years to come.

Fact 15: He Was Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

In the late 1920s, Bell was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of his involvement in international telecommunications. He was an advocate of peace between nations and believed strongly in the power of communication to bring people together.

Conclusion

Alexander Graham Bell was a prolific inventor and innovator whose work has changed the world. Through his inventions, he helped revolutionize communications and provided tools for the deaf to communicate. His achievements and contributions to the world are several and his legacy will continue to live on forever.