Inside the Alexander Graham Bell museum, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Alexander Graham Bell is best known for inventing the telephone. Much of the museum in Baddeck is devoted to that most important technology that Bell developed before he and his family moved to Baddeck in 1885. In Baddeck, Bell continued to develop all sorts of ideas, most notably the hydrofoil and the airplane. His work on aeronautics is particularly noteworthy. It began with kites in the 1890's and evolved into engine-powered, man-controlled machines around 1907. Bell's airplanes were not the first ones to fly – this distinction goes to the Wright Brothers in 1902-1903 – but he and his associates of the AEA (Aerial Experiment Association) introduced numerous innovations such as the cockpit enclosure, the tail rudder and the aileron. These efforts culminated in the design and construction of the Silver Dart, a model that incorporated all the new gadgets. On February 23, 1909, the Silver Dart, piloted by one of its designers, John McCurdy, took off from the icy surface of Bras d'Or Lake, flew about half a mile at an elevation of 3 to 9 metres and an estimated speed of 65 km/hr. This is recognised as the first powered, man-controlled, heavier-than-air flight in Canada. All of this fascinating history and much more are on display at the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Well worth a visit!
Inside the Alexander Graham Bell museum, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Alexander Graham Bell is best known for inventing the telephone. Much of the museum in Baddeck is devoted to that most important technology that Bell developed before he and his family moved to Baddeck in 1885. In Baddeck, Bell continued to develop all sorts of ideas, most notably the hydrofoil and the airplane. His work on aeronautics is particularly noteworthy. It began with kites in the 1890's and evolved into engine-powered, man-controlled machines around 1907. Bell's airplanes were not the first ones to fly – this distinction goes to the Wright Brothers in 1902-1903 – but he and his associates of the AEA (Aerial Experiment Association) introduced numerous innovations such as the cockpit enclosure, the tail rudder and the aileron. These efforts culminated in the design and construction of the Silver Dart, a model that incorporated all the new gadgets. On February 23, 1909, the Silver Dart, piloted by one of its designers, John McCurdy, took off from the icy surface of Bras d'Or Lake, flew about half a mile at an elevation of 3 to 9 metres and an estimated speed of 65 km/hr. This is recognised as the first powered, man-controlled, heavier-than-air flight in Canada. All of this fascinating history and much more are on display at the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Well worth a visit!