THE CHORD OF STEEL

by Thomas B. Costain ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

Deserting medieval romance for present-day fact, the prolific author of The lack Rose, The Three Edwards, The Moneyman, etc., here directs his capable narrative lents toward a tale of modern adventure: the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell. Originally from Scotland, the Bell family lacked neither money nor inventive lity; when in 1870 the elder Alexander Bell -- Melville Bell -- brought his deaf wife a delicate son, Alexander Graham, from London to Brantford, Ontario, Canada, he was famous as the inventor of ""visible speech"" still taught in schools for the deaf, and Alexander was deep in telegraphic inventions, in particular the ""multiple telegraph."" Graham Bell, his health improved, went to Boston to teach, where he continued his inventions d interested two men in his patents: Thomas Sanders and Gardiner Greene Hubbard, forming th them the Bell Patent Association and later marrying Hubbard's beautiful deaf daughter. Convinced that he could transmit human speech over an electric current, Graham returned to Brantford and his experiments, and in 1875, largely by accident, achieved his dream; the next year at the Philadelphia Exposition he proved that it was practical. This fascinating book will hold a wide appeal, to inventors, scientists, teachers, readers of biography and youngsters dreaming of new fields to conquer. Aside from its own excellence its author's name should assure it a wide audience.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1960

Categories: NONFICTION