Print this page Mr. Bell’s Big Idea
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1930s/40s/50s/60s, we will examine the history of the development of the telephone starting with the early experiments in telephony by Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Thomas Watson in the 1870s.
We will examine the technological development of the telephone including the introduction of dial service in the 1920s and concluding with the Bell System’s introduction of the Electronic Central Office (ECO) as it was demonstrated in the Bell Pavilion of the Century 21 World’s Fair of 1962 held in Seattle, Washington.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the background, personality, altruism, achievements etc. of the inventor of the telephone: Alexander Graham Bell;
- Understand/appreciate the early experiments in Harmonic Telegraphy that led to the invention of the telephone;
- Understand/appreciate the role played by Thomas Watson – Bell’s able assistant, in the invention of the telephone;
- Understand/appreciate the great “Cutover” to local dial service from operator service in the 1920s and its impact;
- Understand/appreciate the importance of telephone service to a community;
- Understand/appreciate the operations of a local Bell System phone company by department responsibility/organization; and
- Understand/appreciate the future of telephone communications as it was placed on display at the Seattle World’s Fair of 1962.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history and technology of telephonic communication.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – Flash of Genius
- Part 2 – My Dear Mr. Watson
- Part 3 – The Electric Operator
- Part 4 – Communication and Community
- Part 5 – The Future is Now
Part 1 examines the life and work of Alexander Graham Bell and the events that led to his invention of the telephone in 1876. Part 2 includes the personal recollections of Bell’s assistant: Mr. Thomas Watson (in 1931). Part 3 examines the major transition from local operator service to dial service (for local calling). Part 4 examines the importance of a local telephone company to a community and the various services it provides. Part 5 examines the future of telephonic communications (as of 1962).
Course Content
Part 1 – Flash of Genius;
TITLE: Mr. Bell – Part 1 (1947)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/MrBellPa1947
DURATION: 13:48
TITLE: Mr. Bell – Part 2 (1947)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/MrBellPa1947_2
DURATION: 16:41
Part 2 – My Dear Mr. Watson;
TITLE: Telephone Memories – Part 1 (1931)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.89089.r1
DURATION: 10:08
TITLE: Telephone Memories – Part 2 (1931)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.89089.r2
DURATION: 04:37
Part 3 – The Electric Operator;
TITLE: Dial Comes to Town (ca.1939)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/DialComesToT
DURATION: 20:19
Part 4 – Communication and Community;
TITLE: The Town and the Telephone (ca.1959)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Townandt1950
DURATION: 27:22
Part 5 –The Future is Now;
TITLE: Century 21 Calling (1962)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Century21964
DURATION: 13:56
Course Summary
Alexander Graham Bell was not just a great inventor, he was a great human being who worked tirelessly throughout his life to teach and aid, paradoxically, that portion of humanity that could not reap the benefits of his great invention; the deaf. It was his work with the deaf that led him to invent hearing devices such as the telephone and the wax phonograph record. Along with his contemporary Thomas Edison, he was a man of the 19th Century who made life in the 20th Century and beyond better, easier, fuller and richer for having lived in his time. His great contribution to human progress, advancement and communication places him among the greatest men of the ages.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enMEFurvS2A (Inventions That Changed the World: The Telephone - 58:24)
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
