One day, an accidental experiment inspired him.
Bell is studying a "visual language" for the deaf. According to his idea, it is to copy the vibration of human voice sound waves on paper, so that the deaf can see "words" from the waveform curve. Because curve recognition is not easy, this design is not realized in the end. However, during the experiment, Bell accidentally discovered an interesting phenomenon: when the current is cut off, the spiral coil will make noise, just like the "beep, beep" sound when sending Morse code.
Most people don't pay attention to this detail, but Bell has a heart. He repeated it several times and the result was still the same. When Dambert began to understand, a bold idea came to his mind: "If I can make the change of current intensity simulate the change of sound waves when I speak, it will be possible to transmit sound by electricity." This idea later became the theoretical basis of Bell's telephone design. Bell's discovery seems to meet by chance, but it is actually the result of long-term brewing.
Bell told several people in the field of electricity with great interest. He said confidently: "I believe it can be done. I must find a way! " But the listener didn't agree, some laughed it off and some shrugged. A qualified but conceited gentleman told him: "It is really a lack of electrical knowledge to come up with such an idea." As long as you read two ordinary "Introduction to Electricity", the illusion of transmitting sound waves with wires will disappear. "
Bell hit a nail and wouldn't give up. He decided to ask joseph henry, a great physicist at that time. So Bell set off for Washington.
Henry is an outstanding figure in the history of electric power. He once discovered electromagnetic induction independently with Faraday. In fact, his discovery predated Faraday's, but he was not the first person to publish it. He also invented the swing motor and relay, and Morse's telegraph was invented according to his principle. Henry is humble and doesn't value fame and fortune. He had many inventions in his life, but he didn't want to apply for a patent. He gave up many honors that he deserved. For a long time, Europe and America didn't know much about him. Later, people discovered that his greatness was not under Faraday. In order to commemorate his outstanding contribution, 1893 decided to use his name "Henry" as the inductance unit in the practical unit system at the international electrotechnical conference held in Chicago, USA. In his later years, Henry was the first president of the Smithsonian Institution in the United States, with high prestige. He was 73 years old when Bell visited him.
It was an afternoon in March, 1873, and it was raining in Mao Mao. A tall young man in a hat and a black trench coat came to Henry's apartment. He is Bell who just got off the train. The old scientist is taking a nap. Bell didn't want to disturb him, so he stood in the drizzle and waited quietly. Two hours later, when the old man woke up, Bell's trench coat was soaked to the skin. The scientific veteran has never met Bell, but he has heard a lot about the Bell family and their successful teaching methods for the deaf. The old man received the young visitors politely.
Bell stated his findings and explained in detail the idea of transmitting sound by electricity. His eyes sparkled with excitement. Joseph henry was quickly moved by the enthusiasm of young people. When Bell finished, he asked slightly nervously, "Sir, what do you think I should do? Is it to publish my ideas for others to do, or am I trying to achieve them myself? "
"You have a great inventive idea, Bell," Henry replied affectionately. "Go ahead."
"But, sir, there are many difficulties in production, and I don't know electricity."
"master it!" The great scientist said categorically.
This sentence has a great influence on young inventors. Many years later, Bell wrote, "Without these three inspiring people, I would never have invented the telephone." Bell will never forget his encouragement to joseph henry.
What Bell said really meant what he said. The development of science and technology is like a relay race. There are many broad-minded elders like Henry in the history of science and technology, which opened the way for the latecomers. Faraday benefited from David, Kepler accepted Tycho's precious astronomical legacy, and Darwin got the guidance of his teacher Henslow, all of which are good examples of the older generation of masters caring for scientific rookies.