March begins with a double Happy Birthday celebration in honor of Alexander Graham Bell.

This Scottish born scientist was born March 3, 1847 and the invention he is most known for, the telephone, was “born” March 10, 1876.

Bell was always interested in sound as well as how people could hear and speak. As a youth he taught his dog to speak, and with the help of his brothers, Bell made a model of the human skull that could scream the word “Mama.” For details about the screaming skull and talking dog as well as more information about Bell, see the bibliography of Alexander Graham Bell.

Discover For Yourself

Since sound is produced by vibrations – your voice can actually be transmitted through a vibrating string. Discover this for yourself by making a string telephone. For easy instructions as well as more information about sound and why this simple instrument works, see String Telephone.

For more information about scientists and activities relating to their discoveries, see Janice VanCleave’s Scientist Through the Ages