Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell

Hard to believe that the phone you use regularly was designed and first created in an attic workshop. This particular workshop was above an electrical supply house in Boston. Inventor and teacher of the deaf Alexander Graham Bell designed the first prototype and his assistant Charles Watson built it. On March 10, 1876, Bell and Watson held […]

March 13, 2008; 8:37 PM • by FTRea

Hard to believe that the phone you use regularly was designed and first created in an attic workshop.

This particular workshop was above an electrical supply house in Boston. Inventor and teacher of the deaf Alexander Graham Bell designed the first prototype and his assistant Charles Watson built it.

On March 10, 1876, Bell and Watson held their first test. They set up transmitters in separate rooms and Bell used the equipment to speak to Watson.

What had started as an idea to help the deaf had taken on a life of its own. What had started as a race between Bell and Elisha Gray to create a telegraph that would transmit several sounds at once had also gone way past its original purpose. Their rivalry would end up in court. But the invention of the telephone would change the world.

Discover the ever inventive Bell in the Carpenter Science Theatre Company play “Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell” at the Science Museum of Virginia Saturday, March 29, through Friday, April 25.

Shows are presented on Saturdays, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

“Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you!”

“Those are the words Bell spoke through the telephone to Watson who was in another room. They definitely changed history,” says Carpenter Science Theatre Company Artistic Director Larry Gard.

“Genius in the Attic introduces you to the remarkable Alexander Graham Bell. He was much more than the inventor of the telephone. He had an insatiable curiosity. He was constantly coming up with inventions to solve problems – both great and small. He also was a gifted teacher of the deaf. He helped Helen Keller and many others. We are proud to present the premiere of ‘Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell.’”

Gard portrays Bell. Kim Clark portrays numerous people who were part of Bell ’s life. Tim Ireland is director and Douglas Jones is the playwright.

Perhaps no single person in history can rival the insatiable curiosity and childlike capacity for wonder that compelled Alexander Graham Bell’s enormous success! His astounding inventions include the electrical speech machine, the metal detector, the telephone and his miraculous “vacuum jacket.”

In this world premiere play, learn about Bell’s incredible life of intrigue and discovery and meet the people who influenced his long and illustrious career. Along the way, you’ll experience some of the great challenges and conflicts that inspired him to succeed.

[This presentation is] recommended for school and family audiences with children in grades 4 and up.

“Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell” is sponsored by Thinkfinity.org supported by the Verizon Foundation.

Tickets to see “Genius in the Attic: the Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell” are $8.50. Seating is limited. Advance tickets for “Genius in the Attic: The Restless Curiosity of Alexander Graham Bell” are available at the [Science Museum’s] admissions desk, by calling (804) 864-1400 or 1-800-659-1727. VISA and Master Card are accepted.

For more information call (804) 864-1400 or (800) 659-1727, or click here to visit the Science Museum’s website. The Science Museum is located at 2500 West Broad Street.

– The information above was provided by the Science Museum’s Nancy Tait

March 13, 2008 8:37 PM 0