Alexander Graham Bell

**Galician** · 3rd March 08, 09:55 AM

It is worth remembering and honoring Bell today, his birthday. This is especially true for members of this forum and all telepone users, as, without his contributions and that of the telephone system he helped to get going, this forum and, indeed, all computer use might not have been possible.

Also, for you Scots here, he was one of you, born and bred in Edinburgh.

Thanks to Google for the reminder. Take a look at their home page for a cute representation of him.

**Riverkilt** · 3rd March 08, 11:04 AM

I remember well when my father first told me there would be wireless phones you could carry with you in a briefcase.

I wonder how old Alex Bell would have reacted if he could have seen into the future. Would he be ranting against cell phones in restaurants, movie theaters, people walking alone down the street talking to themselves with the phone not visible under their hair.

The later still startles me...way too many years working psychiatric crisis units...always think, "Oh no, a loose psychiatric patient..."

Ron

**Galician** · 3rd March 08, 11:52 AM

Living in New York City, one didn't have to be associated with a psychiatric facilty to think that, Ron.

**davedove** · 3rd March 08, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

people walking alone down the street talking to themselves with the phone not visible under their hair.

I just kind of get the feeling that I'm stuck in the middle of a sci-fi film and I don't know how I got here.

**macwilkin** · 3rd March 08, 12:07 PM

AGB also immigrated to Canada...

T.

**Bugbear** · 3rd March 08, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I remember well when my father first told me there would be wireless phones you could carry with you in a briefcase.

I wonder how old Alex Bell would have reacted if he could have seen into the future. Would he be ranting against cell phones in restaurants, movie theaters, people walking alone down the street talking to themselves with the phone not visible under their hair.

The later still startles me...way too many years working psychiatric crisis units...always think, "Oh no, a loose psychiatric patient..."

Ron

Oddly enough Ron, he did come up with a wireless phone that he called the photophone. It didn't work too well because he was using light instead of say radio waves to transmit sound... Kind of like the optical phone lines we have now. He came up with a bunch of weird stuff that never caught on so well...

and Hey! I resent that "Oh no, a loose psychiatric patient..."

**Dirk Skene** · 3rd March 08, 01:24 PM

to Mr. Bell. I just wanna get my hands on the guy that invented the hold button

**Galician** · 3rd March 08, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by Dirk Skene

to Mr. Bell. I just wanna get my hands on the guy that invented the hold button

I thought that it was the one who invented the digitized directory ("press 1 for....) who would be happily led to a tar-and-feather party, by most people in the world.

**McClef** · 3rd March 08, 01:59 PM

Much has happened since "come here, Mr Watson."

I wonder if AGB was ever photographed in a kilt?

If I remember also he was an ancestor of the founders of National Geographic !

**ccga3359** · 3rd March 08, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

Much has happened since "come here, Mr Watson."

I wonder if AGB was ever photographed in a kilt?

If I remember also he was an ancestor of the founders of National Geographic !

I believe his father-in-law founded the NGS and Bell susceeded him as president. He later contributed to many thing including aeronatics and hydroplane and metal detector to find the bullet of US President James Garfield.
Although us Canadians claim him and the telephone, he certainly was a very rescoureful Scot he made many a contributions both north and south of the border.

AGB aboard his hydroplane