Alexander Graham Bell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell

Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922)was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone.

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 US patent for the telephone in 1876.In retrospect, Bell considered his most famous 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, hydrofoilsand aeronautics. In 1888, Bell became one of the founding members of the National Geographic Society.

Portrait of Alexander Graham Bell

File:Alexander Graham Bell's Voice.ogg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Alexander_Graham_Bell%27s_Voice.ogg

Recording of Alexander Graham Bell's voice on a wax disc in 1885, lost and then discovered in 2011. Recorded at Volta Laboratory