This Is America, Charlie Brown (TV Series)

The Great Inventors (1989)

Frank Welker: Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison

Quotes 

• Thomas Edison : [voiceover]  When you come across anything you don't thoroughly understand, don't rest until you've run it down. When I am asked the key to my success, I have a short answer: it's hard work based on hard thinking. Each day dawns with fascinating possibilities. The world is so *full* of a number of things.

• Linus Van Pelt : [voiceover]  Mr. Bell once said to a group of children...

  Alexander Graham Bell : [voiceover]  Do not keep forever on the public road; going only where others have gone. Leave the beaten track occasionally, and dive into the woods. You'll be certain to find something you've never seen before. Of course, it will be a little thing, but do not ignore it, follow it up. Explore all around it. One discovery will lead to another, and before you know it, you've left something worth thinking about to occupy your mind. All really big discoveries are the result of thought.

• Thomas Edison : [gesturing to Marion and Peppermint Patty]  Gentlemen, we have two special guests tonight.

  [gesturing to Peppermint Patty again] 

  Thomas Edison : This young lady seems to agree with me that the phonograph can work. In fact, it was Marion's doll that helped me along the way to this talking machine.

  [pointing to the two diaphragms on the phonograph] 

  Thomas Edison : Marion and Miss Patty, these are two diaphragms. They are the key to this talking machine. John Crusa here drew up the sketch for me. He doesn't think it'll work, but maybe we'll get lucky and at least hear one word.

  John Kruesi : Yeah, but what will you say into it, Mr. Edison?

  Thomas Edison : Hm, let me think. Ah, yes, I have it. Are we ready?

  [cranking the phonograph and speaking into one of the diaphragms] 

  Thomas Edison : Mary had a little lamb. Its fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary went, the lamb was sure to go.

  [he releases the first diaphragm and turns the phonograph back the other way, cranking again with his playback; when it's over, the men cheer, and Marion and Peppermint Patty dance with joy] 

  Peppermint Patty : Wow! He did it!

• Alexander Graham Bell : [about to pour the acid for the transmitter]  I have to put the acid here...

  [he accidently knocks the acid over, burning his hand] 

  Alexander Graham Bell : Oh, no! Mr. Watson, come here! I want you!

  Thomas Watson : [hearing him through the receiver, then jumping for joy]  That's it... that's it, that's *it*!

  [Bell returns to the room where Watson and Linus are listening] 

  Thomas Watson : That's it! I heard every word! You said, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want you"!

  Alexander Graham Bell : [chuckles]  At last! At long last! Congratulations, Thomas!

  Thomas Watson : [shaking hands with Bell]  Congratulations, Mr. Bell!

  Linus Van Pelt : Wow! Wait'll I tell Charlie Brown!