Today in History: Alexander Graham Bell
Today in History–March 10–the Library of Congress features Alexander Graham Bell, who made the first successful telephone call to his assistant Thomas Watson on this date in 1876. An audiologist, speech therapist and teacher of the deaf, Bell’s knowledge of the nature of sound likely encourage his experimentation. Another Bell invention was a metal detector, that was created to help save President James A, Garfield. Unfortunately, the attempt to locate the assassin’s bullet was unsuccessful. Learn more about this multitalented man in the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more stories and primary sources related to Alexander Graham Bell.
Stories of Alexander Graham Bell
- Alexander Graham Bell Invented the Photophone America’s Library
- Alexander Graham Bell: the first to patent the telephone Everyday Mysteries
- The First Telephone Call America’s Library
- Happy Birthday Mr. Bell! Inside Adams blog post
Primary source collections
- Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers (correspondence, scientific notebooks, journals, blueprints, articles, & photographs)
- Alexander Graham Bell Laboratory Notebook
- Alexander Graham Bell image set
- Books about Alexander Graham Bell 1882-1917
- Alexander Graham Bell historical newspaper coverage through 1922
- Today in History: Bell’s Photophone
Teaching resources
- Collection Connections: Alexander Graham Bell Family Papers teaching resources
- Exploring the Scientific Method: “Mr. Watson – Come Here – I want to see you.” lesson plan
- Teaching with Library of Congress blog posts
- Alexander Graham Bell, Educator May 9, 2013
- Alexander Graham Bell and the Iterative Kite Design Process July 16, 2019
- From Flight to Discovery with Alexander Graham Bell’s Papers April 2, 2013
- Mathematical Rough Drafts and Alexander Graham Bell’s Experimental Notebooks May 11, 2021
- “Perfect” Primary Sources Combinations October 25, 2022
- Researching Aerial Locomotion – Kites and Alexander Graham Bell June 13, 2019
- A Suffrage Discussion Comes Home: Letters between Alexander Graham Bell and Mabel Hubbard March 29, 2018