Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. He was born in Scotland in 1847. He moved to the United States as a young man. His invention changed how people communicate forever.

Early Life

Bell grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland. His mother was deaf, which made him interested in sound and speech. He studied how the human voice works. He became a teacher of deaf students.

Big Achievements

In 1876, Bell made the first telephone call ever. He said to his assistant, 'Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.' He started the Bell Telephone Company. He also worked on ideas for airplanes and boats.

Fun Facts

• Bell did not want a telephone in his own office because it distracted him.
• He also invented a metal detector to try to find a bullet inside President Garfield.
• Bell's middle name, Graham, was a birthday gift when he turned 11.

Did You Know?

When Bell died in 1922, every telephone in North America was silent for one minute in his honor. That was millions of phones going quiet at once.