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Bell's Brilliant Idea
SLUG:DC/Franklin school DATE:7/15/02 PHOTO CREDIT: Photo by Art Rodgers__DC Office of Planning. CAPTION: The Franklin School
(Photo By Art Rodgers - Dc Office Of Planning)
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In 1881 he also applied his understanding of magnetic induction -- developed in his telephonic research -- to the development of a crude metal detector that was used in an attempt to locate the bullet in the body of President James Garfield. The effort failed, and Garfield later died, although through no fault of Bell's: Unbeknownst to Bell, Garfield's bed had contained newfangled coil springs, which confused the device's readings.
Ironically, Bell's and Tainter's invention -- inspired by the desire to liberate communicating parties from their connecting tether -- laid the groundwork for the fiber-optic technology that today carries the bulk of Internet and telephone network traffic. And that, after all, is worth waving your hat about.
-- Mark Eckenwiler
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