How Did Alexander Graham Bell Impact Society

In addition to the wide catalog of innovative technology on display, the Exhibition was very well known for hosting some of the most iconic inventors in history. “One new invention which interested hardly anybody, yet which would affect the nation profoundly, was Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. It attracted less notice than the packages of magic tricks on sale nearby” (Brown 132-133). Although Bell was not a United States citizen at the time, his invention was displayed on American soil and it would greatly improve the convenience of communication. Another well-known inventor in attendance was Thomas Edison. Mr. Edison previewed a few of his inventions, but the most well-known was his phonograph; this was the first device that successfully recorded sound. Unbeknownst to many of the attendees and possibly the inventors, both of these inventions would eventually become a vital aspect of daily life in later decades. Over one hundred and forty years …show more content…
The magnitude of the events that occurred in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park are often overshadowed because they happened around the same time as the Civil War and Reconstruction, but this blip on the United States radar was far more impactful than some might think. The land of the free appeared to be headed in a positive direction in the late nineteenth century. President Grant displayed an attitude that would inspire Americans to continue the journey of discovery. While speaking at the Centennial, Grant concluded his speech in a somewhat prophetic manner, stating “Whilst proud of what we have done, we regret that we have not done more” (Brown 127). Drawing a comparison from Grant’s quote and the unfinished Statue of Liberty that was displayed, the best was yet to come for the United