Tuesday, July 26, 2011

ABC Wednesday - Alexander Graham Bell

This week at ABC Wednesday, B is our focus letter.

One of the great Canadians is Alexander Graham Bell, considered the inventor of the telephone. He was born in Scotland but came to Canada and settled near Brantford. I have visited his home there and it is fascinating.
Wikipedia states: he"...was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone."
His mother and wife were both hard of hearing and one of his young students in Boston where he worked at a School for the deaf was Helen Keller.
To learn more about this great man read here.

There are many quotes attributed to him. These are my favourites:

Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”

“A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself. "

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”


Be sure to stop by ABC Wednesday to discover what others have done for B.

17 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Wonderful, interesting post for the B Day, Bev! I didn't know he was originally from Scotland! Always love to learn something new! Hope you have a great week!

Sylvia

Roger Owen Green said...

I'd leave a comment, but the damn phone is ringing...
(good job)

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Andy said...

The phone has come a long way since it's invention.

Kay L. Davies said...

So interesting, Bev. And did you know Bell also lived (maybe later in life) in the town of Baddeck, in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia? Another B, or two.
http://capebretonisland.com/AGBell.html

—Kay, Alberta, Canada

Leslie: said...

I thought you might have done "Bunny's Girl" this week, but this is a brilliant choice. He was one of many great Canadians! Love the first quote especially. Have a great week,

Leslie
abcw team

Jane and Chris said...

My grandmother never spoke on the phone, I find that amazing!
Jane x

Live2cherish said...

Loved the quotes.

Tumblewords: said...

His quotes are terrific. I'm thinking my grandmother didn't have a phone until her later years. And I've seen a lot of change in them!

Wanda said...

Oh this was such a good post. Loved reading the quotes from Mr. Bell. I'm old enough to remember the ONLY phone was Bell, and we called it Ma Bell...... If you had a phone...it was Ma Bell!

photowannabe said...

Great quotes and I didn't know both his mother and wife were hard of hearing. I guess necessity is the mother of invention.

Kim, USA said...

Hahahaha had to laugh first about what Roger had commented in here. I thought Mr. Bell is from New York..thanks for the great information. ^_^

Blue

ChrisJ said...

I didn't know he was originally from Scotland, but he certainly does look Scottish!

Hazel said...

Helen Keller was his student... I didn't know that bit. The name Bell sounds lovely to me, and I'm staring at my phone right now :) Happy Wednesday.

Shooting Parrots said...

Do you know, I don't recall ever having seen a photo of the great man before. Thank you.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

what does he think of the mobile phone?

nonizamboni said...

Enjoyed the door quote especially!
And I love the positive feel of your blog--maybe its that third grade teacher in you.
:O)

Terrie said...

Interesting info and with just enough facts to be informative but not feel like a history book ! :) Great quotes; I have a collection of quotes and a couple of these have been added - thanks!