National Telephone Day

“Mr. Watson – come here. I want to see you.” These are the famous first words that were spoken over a telephone line when Alexander Graham Bell made the first call to his assistant in 1876.

And that was the beginning of National Telephone Day!

History of National Telephone Day

Since its invention, the telephone has grown in popularity and use as a technology that has paved the way for such important communication that now happens every day, every moment, all throughout the globe. With billions of mobile phones in people’s pockets and landlines in many homes, the world is a connected place thanks to the invention of the telephone more than 150 years ago.

While Alexander Graham Bell already has his own day on March 7, National Telephone Day is here to show appreciation for the creativity and ingenuity shown by not only Bell, but also so many of his contemporaries. It’s a time to pay respect and honor to so many inventors who never stop pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world!

How to Celebrate National Telephone Day

Pay respect and honor to the inventors of the past and the future on National Telephone Day. Consider some of these ideas for observing the day:

Make a Telephone Call

With texting and email as popular forms of communication, the telephone call may have taken a backseat in recent years. However, perhaps National Telephone Day would be a great time to step back in time and make a telephone call, just for the sake of nostalgia!

Encourage Young Scientists

Alexander Graham Bell was encouraged by his family to be creative and curious about the world. It’s likely this support and his access to education that allowed for the invention of the telephone at that time. In the same way, access to education in today’s world is critical for young students who might grow up to be the inventors, scientists, mathematicians and engineers of the future.

Whether volunteering as a tutor at a nearby school, supporting the local education system in the community, or providing money for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) student who needs help paying for college, supporting future inventors is a great way to celebrate National Telephone Day!

Learn About Inventors

Get educated on some of those scientists who have been critical in scientific and technological advances in the past for National Telephone Day. Look up some of these folks online and learn a bit more about them:

• Josephine Cochrane(1839-1913), inventor of the mechanical dishwasher.
• Frederick McKinley Jones (1893-1961), developer of modern refrigeration equipment.
• Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468), inventor of the printing press.
• Grace Hopper (1906-1992), creator of the first computer programming machine language.

Keep Inventing and Creating

National Telephone Day serves as a reminder to those inventors, creators, engineers and scientists that continuing to pursue new things can pay off! The world is not a static place and many opportunities are still out there, waiting to be discovered. So take this day as a bit of inspiration or encouragement to keep on growing and learning and inventing.