My friend the telephone turned 132 today. Congratulations! It seems like just yesterday when Bell first brought you into this world. I remember the day like it was yesterday…
I then shouted into M [the mouthpiece] the following sentence: “Mr. Watson, come here — I want to see you.” To my delight he came and declared that he had heard and understood what I said.
I asked him to repeat the words. He answered, “You said ‘Mr. Watson — come here — I want to see you.’” We then changed places and I listened at S [the speaker] while Mr. Watson read a few passages from a book into the mouthpiece M. It was certainly the case that articulate sounds proceeded from S. The effect was loud but indistinct and muffled.
In those early days you were barely intelligible. But my how you’ve grown. It seems like just yesterday that you were afraid to leave the house and now you’re conquering the world. If you set your mind to it, I don’t think there is anything that you won’t be able to do. Congratulations Telly. Here’s to another 132 great years!
Leave a Reply