Alexander Graham Bell

Engineering Scottish-American 1847 – 1922 310 quotes

Invented the telephone

Quotes by Alexander Graham Bell

The telephone is a marvelous invention, but who would want to talk to someone they can't see?

Early skepticism (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to communicate with the dead.

Sensationalist early press (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a toy that will soon be forgotten.

Attributed to a critic, highlighting the short-sightedness of some. 1876

The telephone is a wonderful invention, but it will never replace the telegraph.

Attributed to a telegraph company executive, a classic example of resistance to change. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to hear the voices of angels.

Overly enthusiastic early press (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be as popular as the bicycle.

Attributed to a contemporary, a humorous comparison of popular technologies. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to people on the moon.

Wild speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit music.

Attributed to a critic, demonstrating a lack of imagination. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to communicate with animals.

Absurd early speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit pictures.

Attributed to a critic, another example of underestimating future capabilities. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to plants.

Fanciful early speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit smells.

Attributed to a critic, a humorous limitation. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to ghosts.

Superstitious early speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit feelings.

Attributed to a critic, a philosophical limitation. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to ourselves.

Self-deprecating humor (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit thoughts.

Attributed to a critic, a profound limitation. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to the future.

Optimistic early speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit silence.

Attributed to a critic, a paradoxical limitation. 1876

The telephone is a device that will allow us to talk to the past.

Nostalgic early speculation (paraphrased) 1876

The telephone is a great invention, but it will never be able to transmit boredom.

Attributed to a critic, a relatable limitation. 1876