Wednesday, June 20, 2018

AS SEEN ON TV - ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL


On this date in 1877, Alexander Graham Bell installs the world's first commercial telephone service in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. 


From Wikipedia:
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was a Scottish-born scientist, inventor, engineer, and innovator who is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone. He also founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885.

Bell's father, grandfather, and brother had all been associated with work on elocution and speech and both his mother and wife were deaf, profoundly influencing Bell's life's work. His research on hearing and speech further led him to experiment with hearing devices which eventually culminated in Bell being awarded the first U.S. patent for the telephone in 1876. Bell considered his invention an intrusion on his real work as a scientist and refused to have a telephone in his study.

Many other inventions marked Bell's later life, including groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils, and aeronautics. Although Bell was not one of the 33 founders of the National Geographic Society, he had a strong influence on the magazine while serving as the second president from January 7, 1898, until 1903.


Bell emigrated to Canada in 1870 and lived there until he moved to the United States in 1882.  There he would reside until his death in 1922.

In Toobworld, he would make three appearances (so far) in 'The Murdoch Mysteries'.


"INVENTION CONVENTION"
While he was in Toronto attending a convention showcasing the latest inventions, Bell met Detective William Murdoch of the Toronto Constabulary during the course of a murder investigation.  Even though Murdoch greatly admired the inventor, he still considered Bell under suspicion for a short time. 


"MURDOCH IN TOYLAND"
Bell returned to Toronto to assist Murdoch in the hunt for serial killing madman genius James Gillies.  Bell's assistance was needed in separating the background noise on recorded cylinders found in "talking dolls" which Gillies had used to taunt Murdoch with clues.  Through this work, Murdoch was able to track down Gillies' location.


"8 FOOTSTEPS"
Once again Bell was able to assist Murdoch when a murder was committed at a dinner celebrating Helen Keller, who attended with her companion Annie Sullivan.  (Bell attended with his wife, Mabel Hubbard, who was also deaf.)  In order to better understand Miss Keller's everyday situation, the dinner was held in complete darkness, which is when the murder occurred.  Bell used one of his own inventions to pinpoint the location of where the killer was seated based on Miss Keller's acutely enhanced hearing.

As Alexander Graham Bell lived until 1922, and the series 'The Murdoch Mysteries' has been renewed for another season*, it's pozz'ble, just pozz'ble, that we may see the Scottish-American inventor return once again to Station 4 in Toronto....


BCnU!

* O'BSERVATIONS:
Currently, Season 11 was set in 1905.

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