Alexander Graham Bell (3 March 1847 – 2 August 1922) was a Scottish scientist, inventor, and innovator. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, he emigrated to Canada in 1870, and then to the United States in 1871, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1882.

Alexander Graham was called "the father of the deaf".[2] With both his mother and wife deaf, he studied hereditary deafness in order to better understand the affliction.[3] His research on speech led him to experiment with hearing devices that eventually culminated in the telephone. Bell was awarded the first U.S. patent for the invention of the telephone in 1876. Although other inventors had claimed the honor, the Bell patent remained in effect. Many other inventions marked Bell's later years including groundbreaking work in hydrofoils and aeronautics.