1876: Alexander Graham Bell makes the first telephone call in his Boston laboratory, summoning his assistant, Thomas A. Watson, from the next room.
The Scottish-born Bell had a lifelong interest in the nature of sound. He was born into a family of speech instructors, and his mother and his wife both had hearing impairments. While ostensibly working in 1875 on a device to send multiple telegraph signals over the same wire by using harmonics, he heard a twang.
That led him to investigate whether his electrical apparatus could be used to transmit the sound of a human voice. Bell’s journal, now at the Library of Congress, contains the following entry for March 10, 1876:
I then shouted into M [the mouthpiece] the following sentence: “Mr. Watson, come here — I want to see you.” To my delight he came and declared that he had heard and understood what I said.
I asked him to repeat the words. He answered, “You said ‘Mr. Watson — come here — I want to see you.’” We then changed places and I listened at S [the speaker] while Mr. Watson read a few passages from a book into the mouthpiece M. It was certainly the case that articulate sounds proceeded from S. The effect was loud but indistinct and muffled.
Watson’s journal, however, says the famous quote was: “Mr. Watson come here I want you.”
That disagreement, though, is trifling compared to the long controversy over whether Bell truly invented the telephone. Another inventor, Elisha Gray, was working on a similar device, and recent books claim that Bell not only stole Gray’s ideas, but may even have bribed a patent inspector to let him sneak a look at Gray’s filing.
After years of litigation, Bell’s patents eventually withstood challenges from Gray and others — perhaps by right, perhaps by virtue of bigger backers and better barristers. In that respect, the controversy recalls the patent battle over the telegraph and foreshadows later squabbles over the automobile, the airplane, the spreadsheet, online shopping carts, web-auction software, and the look and feel of operating systems.
One thing we know for sure: Mr. Watson was at work that day in Bell’s lab. The telephone call did not interrupt his dinner with a special offer for home repairs or timeshare vacations in Florida.
Sources Various
Photo: Alexander Graham Bell demonstrates speaking into the telephone using a model prototype in 1876. (Early Office Museum)
This article first appeared on Wired.com March 10, 2008.
See Also:
- Aug. 15, 1877: ‘Hello. Can You Hear Me Now?’
- Aug. 4, 1922: For Whom the Bell Tolls Not
- Clive Thompson on the Death of the Phone Call
- Man Attempts Worlds Longest Telephone Conversation
- Phone Company Is Arm of Government, Feds Admit in Spy Suit
- Complete Wired.com coverage of cellphones
- June 25, 1876: Was Custer Outgunned at Little Bighorn?
- July 18, 1876: Royal Commissioners Wrinkle Their Noses
- Aug. 8, 1876: Edison Patents Mimeograph
- March 10: Jefferson the Paleontologist, Lincoln the Inventor
- March 10, 2000: Pop Goes the Nasdaq!
Few are as geeked about communications as I am. Its a little known fact that I worked for AT&T for a couple of years because I loved their product. Of course, that was before deregulation. Thanks to wired.com, I'm reminded that today is the anniversary of the day the telephone was invented, or so legend has it. There's a lot of backstory to the invention of the telephone, and just about every other communication device since then, but we will probably always mark today and Alexander Graham Bell as the day that led to all the wonders of electronic communication. Again, thanks to www.wired.com for sharing.
Grant DePorter, the proprietor of Harry Caray's Restaurant in Chicago says:
Today is the 13th Annual World Wide Toast to Harry Caray with a special Tribute to Ron Santo. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts will be leading the Toast with Dutchie Caray and Ron Santo, Jr. at 5:55pm tonight at Harry Caray's on Kinzie. We will also be doing a virtual toast to Harry and Ron on facebook - just go to www.facebook.com/herestoharry. Don't forget to Toast Harry and Ron where ever you are!
Cubs looking for PA announcer
ESPNChicago.com
CHICAGO -- How does "The Voice of Wrigley Field" sound as a new job title?
The Chicago Cubs announced Monday they are searching for a new public address announcer at the Friendly Confines, and they are opening the job search up to anyone, posting the ad on jobs site careerbuilder.com.
ESPNChicago.com Cubs blog
The latest news and notes on the Cubs. Blog
Candidates are invited to send in their applications -- including an audio or video sample -- by March 7. Finalists will be chosen for live auditions at Wrigley Field by March 14 with a final decision to be made by March 25.
The online job ad says experience working as a public address announcer in college or professional sports is preferred, but candidates "of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply."
"This is a dream opportunity for someone to be the voice at Wrigley Field and to leave a lasting impression on more than 3 million fans each season," said Wally Hayward, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer of the Cubs.
The new announcer will replace Paul Friedman, who held the position for 16 seasons. Friedman left the Cubs to become Director of Corporate Sponsorship and Business Development at Chicago Public Radio.
The Cubs open the season at Wrigley Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1.
I know I could never be Gene Honda, the PA Announcer for the Chicago White Sox, but I can do this. WHO DO I HAVE TO KNOW, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET THIS JOB? If you have any ideas, please send them to mark@markedwardsworldwide.com. Really.
Updated: Ever wonder what every single No. 1 pop song -- from the beginning of time through the '90s -- would sound like mashed together? Look no further.
What might be most fascinating about this agglomeration of audio tracks is the swift and remarkable evolution from the twee sounds of pre-Elvis American music to the present; there's rockabilly, the British invasion, Sinatra's svelte croon, Motown. Remember Bobby Darin? Me neither, but there he is. Then the '70s and Funky Town, punk rock, disco, stadium anthems. Listening through the whole 75 minutes could leave you nostalgic, amazed, perhaps shocked or, dare we say, gaga. It's decades of both great jams and questionable taste. (See: Jefferson Starship.) There's plenty of potential to sift through the track with a fine-tooth comb and make your own discoveries. In fact we encourage it!
<span>Five Seconds Of Every #1 Pop Single Part 1 by mjs538</span>
<span>Five Seconds Of Every #1 Pop Single Part 2 by mjs538</span>
Crime rates in the United States have dropped significantly in the last two decades and continue to be on a steady downward trajectory, according to FBI figures. In 1991, there were 758 violent crimes per 100,000 Americans, compared to 2009's figure of 429. Property crime has diminished similarly, and is down to 3,036 per 100,000 people from 5,140 in 1991. Total crime numbers have also decreased over that period, despite population increases; 1.9 million violent crimes were reported in 1991, a figure that in 2009 stood at 1.3 million. Property crime has decreased even further, from 13.0 million incidents in 1991 to 9.3 million in 2009. Of course, crime remains a major problem in some of the largest urban areas, some of which have crime rates that are more than double, triple, or even quadruple the national figure.
[See a slide show of the 11 Most Dangerous Cities.]
An analysis of FBI data shows which cities in the United States have the highest overall incidence of crime, relative to the national rate. Below are the 11 U.S. cities with the greatest crime risk, according to an Onboard Informatics analysis of the most recent seven years of FBI crime reporting data. This data includes property crime, such as burglary and motor vehicle theft, as well as violent crime, like murder and robbery. An index score of 100 is equal to the national crime rate, meaning that Memphis, for example, with an index of 361, has a crime rate more than three times the national average.
[See a slide show of the 10 Best Cities for Public Transportation.]
Here are the 11 most dangerous cities in terms of crime risk:
City Crime Risk Index 1. St. Louis 530 2. Atlanta 484 3. Birmingham Alabama (tie) 380 3. Orlando (tie) 380 5. Detroit 369 6. Memphis 361 7. Miami 346 8. Baltimore 339 9. Kansas City, Missouri 337 10. Minneapolis (tie) 331 10. Cleveland (tie) 331
Source: Onboard Informatics
Property crime is far more prevalent than violent crime in all of these cities, as with the rest of the nation, and nearly all of these 11 cities have also experienced significant drops in property crime in recent years. St. Louis, the city with the highest crime risk, has made major strides in the years covered by this index figure, with a property crime rate that has dropped from 13,187 per 100,000 residents in 2003 to 8,331 in 2009. In particular, the city's motor vehicle theft rate dropped by more than half in those seven years. Meanwhile, several of the cities among the top 11 experienced fluctuations or even growth in violent crime rates. Cleveland, for example, saw murder and aggravated assault rates grow from 2003 through 2009, though forcible rapes and aggravated assaults on the whole declined. Memphis saw the largest violent crime rate jump of the group, up to 1,806 per 100,000 residents in 2009 from 1,577 in 2003.
[See a slide show of the 10 Best Cities to Find a Job.]
Of course, the above index figures do not provide a full picture of crime in any given city. For example, Birmingham and Orlando share an index rating of 380, but a statistical snapshot shows that the two cities deal with their own unique crime patterns. In 2009, Orlando had a greater incidence of larceny and theft than Birmingham, which itself experienced more forcible rapes and robberies.
It is also important to note that the above figures give an overall view of crime in these cities. Several other cities that have high rates of particular crimes are not among the 11 cities with the worst crime rates. For example, New Orleans and Richmond, Virginia had the highest murder rates in the country in 2009, according to the FBI. Likewise, Anchorage, Alaska, and Abilene, Texas, which are not among the cities with the most overall crime, still had the second- and third-highest rates of forcible rapes in 2009, behind No. 1 Minneapolis. [Take the U.S. News poll: In which city do you feel the least safe?]
According to the FBI, a diverse array of factors can contribute to a city's crime rates, including population density, transportation trends, economic health, and even climate.
- See a slide show of the 10 Best Cities for Public Transportation.
- See a slide show of the 10 Best Cities to Find a Job.
- Find out the secrets to job growth in Salt Lake City.
OK, so Kansas City is also on the list, but a hearty high five to St. Louis for again being crowned the most dangerous city in America. There's so much for the city of St. Louis to be proud of, and this tops the list. Booyah!
Breville Radio Toaster Radio
If you eat toast for breakfast while listening to the radio, you need the Breville Radio Toaster Radio. With two wide toast slots and an adjustable browning control, it can make your toast just right. Plus, the radio has 10 channel presets, so it is easy to switch between stations.
By combining two common functions into a slick retro design, the Breville Radio Toaster Radio is a great appliance. The sleek design is both modern and nostalgic at the same time, making this device an attractive addition to any kitchen.
Breville VTT296 Black 2 Slice Radio Toaster
- Two slot two slice black toaster with integrated FM/AM radio
- Variable browning control and variable width slots for thick and thin bread slices
- Features include reheat, defrost, mid-cycle cancel
- Extra-high lift for easy toast removal
- Non-slip base and cord storage
- Fitted with a removable crumb tray for easy cleaning
- Easy to use blue illuminated toasting control buttons
- Illuminated digital display
- Preset graphic equaliser
- 10 preset radio channels
The Breville 2 Slice Radio Toaster Radio is available to pre-order for £49.99 at Firebox.com. It is also available for £49.99 at Amazon.co.uk.
Tags: amazon.co.uk, firebox.com, radio, retro, toaster
Published by Ryan Cooper on 18 February 2011 in Gadgets.
That should get people back to listening to the radio at home in the morning, right? Only problem is it seems to only be available in England, at least for now.
Lou Malnati's in Chicago. Not very close, but worth the drive from anywhere.
I didn't know that the Cubs had assembled such a wide ranging tribute page to my biggest baseball hero, Ron Santo. In case the link doesn't work, its http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/news/tributes/obit_ron_santo.jsp?c_id=chc&par...
Oh snap, drooling much? We’re looking at The Mac & Cheetos Pie, possibly one of the most tantalizing, thoughtful uses of Cheetos I’ve ever seen. We’re looking at a macaroni and cheese pie constructed of shredded Cheddar cheese, macaroni,milk, eggs, Bisquick, salt, red pepper sauce and crushed Cheetos throughout. Damn, what a genius way to put Cheetos in an edible format that doesn’t involve getting your fingers all nasty and orange! The full recipe is available on the What Did You Eat blog. Oh my…I would love to try this pie with some Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, what do you think?!
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Some days I find something that is close to a life-changer. This might be one of them, and it proves I don't have much of a life.
« Dick Locher passes TMS' 'Dick Tracy' to new artist, writer | Main
January 19, 2011
Whoops! Upon further review ...
There might have been some celebrating up in Green Bay when the Packers found out they would be facing the Bears in the NFC title game.
The above Monday Green Bay Press-Gazette front page was followed Tuesday by the page one note that is quoted below:
ABOUT THAT HEADLINE
There is no excuse for the spelling error on the front page of Monday's Press-Gazette. We know the great city of Chicago is spelled with two "C"s and a "G," and not three "C"s. We were equally embarrassed we got it wrong in the first place and then failed to catch it in the proofreading process. We apologize for the error: In the event the Packers win Sunday and advance to the Super Bowl, we'll spell the host city of Dallas correctly.It happens.
Posted at 08:48:06 AM in Chicago, Newspapers, Sports
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Thanks to the brave men and women of NORAD, you'll be able to follow Santa as he makes his rounds Christmas Eve from the comfort of this website.
[and while we're stuck on number 5, here's an oldie-but-goodie from last Christmas...]
1. “White Christmas” – While there are more than five Christmas carols written by Jewish songwriters, I thought I’d just cover my favorites, starting with not only the most famous Christmas song written in modern times, but according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the best-selling single of all-time.
Written by: Irving Berlin in 1940
Actually written by: Israel Isidore Baline (Irving’s real name)
Written while: seated poolside at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona (talk about your White Christmas)
Made famous by: Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn
Cool Irving Berlin fact: Refusing to make money off his deep-seated patriotism, Berlin donated all the royalties from “God Bless America” (just another little ditty he penned) to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls
2. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Written by: Johnny Marks in 1949
Based on: a poem/story penned by Marks’ brother-in-law, who invented Rudolph
Made famous by: Gene Autry, whose recording sold over 2 million copies in the first year alone
Famous Rudolph mondegreen: “Olive, the other reindeer” (see our post on mondegreens if you don’t know what they are)
Cool Johnny Marks fact: He is the great-uncle of economist Steven Levitt, co-author of one of my favorite books of all time, Freakonomics
3. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
Written by: composer Jule Styne in 1945 with lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Actually written by: Julius Kerwin Stein and Samuel Cohen (real names)
Made Famous by: Vaughn Monroe, hitting #1 on Billboard in ’46
Curious “Let it Snow” fact: the lyric never once mentions Christmas
Cool Jule Styne fact: he also wrote the music for the musicals Gypsy and Funny Girl
4. “Silver Bells”
Written by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in 1951
Actually written by: Jacob Harold Levison and Raymond Bernard Evans (real names)
Introduced by: Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the movie The Lemon Drop Kid
Made Famous by: Bing Crosby and Carol Richards
Cool “Silver Bells” fact: the song was inspired by the silver bells of the Salvation Army bell ringers, thus making it one of the few Christmas carols about the city, as opposed to the usual rural countryside setting
5. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”
Written by: Albert Hague in 1966 (with words/lyrics by Dr. Seuss, of course)
Actually written by: Albert Marcuse, who was born in Berlin, but his family raised him Lutheran with the last name Hague in order to avoid the raging anti-Semitism in the 1920/30s (He got out of Europe just in time, landing in America in 1939)
Made Famous by: Thurl Arthur Ravenscroft, who made a name for himself singing and doing voice-overs for Disney
Curious Albert Hague fact: He was also an actor! You can see him in both the movie and TV series, Fame, playing the role of Shorofsky* * * * *
[Pssst...Have you been thinking about subscribing to mental_floss magazine, for yourself or as a gift? This week you'll save big with our subscription t-shirt for $25.97 deal. That's like buying a subscription and getting a t-shirt for only $4! Offer ends December 6th. U.S. subscriptions only.]
Proof again that without us Jews there would be no Christmas. Happy Hanukkah to all! And thanks to the Mental Floss blog for the assist!
