A New Language: Visible Speech

Alexander Melville
Bell (1819-1905)
Professor A. Melville Bell's invention of Visible Speech Chart
Manuscript Division
Gift of the Bell Family, 1947 (123A.1)

Alexander Melville
Bell (1819-1905)
4 small cards: boot, bird, horse car and elephant
Manuscript Division
Gift of the Bell Family, 1947 (123A.2)

Dr. Alexander Melville Bell, father of Alexander Graham Bell, devised a system of "visible speech" in April 1864. These alphabetical symbols were intended to be used to teach deaf individuals how to use his or her vocal chords in order to produce specific sounds, even if the person had never heard sound.

Alexander Melville
Bell (1819-1905)
Visible Speech Alphabetical Symbols
Printed cards and box
Card 1 - Card 2 - Card 3
Manuscript Division
Gift of the Bell Family, 1947 (123A.5a-d)