Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-04-03

and interesting history to be
found of the early days Of the
i telephone and it's first use in
the National Capital is con-
tanned in the journals and biographi-
cal notes of the late George Cotton
Maynard, electrical engineer, and for
more than 80 years curator of the
division of mechanical technology of
the National Museum. Viewed in the
light of the amazing development OF
this now everyday necessity, MIR.
Maynard's record of his intimate as
ISOLATION with the pioneer days of the
telephone here holds an almost roman.
tic interest for the present day.
II was during the lifetime of this
technical scientist also that the rail-
road, the telegraph, monograph, auto
mobile, airplane and radio either came
into being or grew from infancy. In
his work as curator in the National
Museum, as well as in his engineer
ing profession, probably no man OF
this great inventive era was so close
ly associated with so many of these
inventions as Mr.. Maynard.
1t was in the week of his birth, in
October, 1889, that the railroad, on its
way across the continent, reached
Mr.. Maynard's native town of Ann
Arbor. Mich. The first step In a ca
EGGE WHICH was W itSu W IlIS ttOSC
association with the pioneer days Of
the telephone was taken by Mr.. May
nard when he learned biography at
the key OF an instrument in the cor
ner of his uncleS general store, :"
which served as the Ann Arbor tele-
graph Office. Study and practice OF
chemistv and pharmacy also occupied
his earlier years until he came to
Washington, in 1864, to enter the
United States Military Telegraph
Corps
In his later connection with the de-
velopment Of telegraph Mr.. May
nard was chief operator Of the West
ern Union Offices here from 1867 to
1870. In the latter year he left that
position 10 enter the Army Signal
Office to aid in organizing and operat-
ing the system Of Geographic weather
reporting. In addition to superin-
tending the fitting up of the Signal
telegraph office. directing the tele-
graphic work OF the weather observ-
ers and instructing the signal men in
telest Apply, he made extensive tours
Of inspection through the Northern
States and TO the Pacific Coast.
Leaving the Signal Office in 1872.
Mr.. Maynard established a private
business here for the construction of
telegraph lines and the selling and
installation of electrical apparatus of
all kinds, including the first storage
batteries.
In 1873 Mr. Maynard installed a
telegraph system connecting the
United States Capitol with the various
executive departments of the Govern.
ment here, and the following year
constructed 25-mile telegraph line
for the Washington Police Depart.
ment, connecting IA offices, which he
equipped with magnetic dial instru-
ments.
It was in 1871, with the telephone
then in it's infancy. that Mr.. Maynard
turned his attention chiefly TO the
pioneer development Of this new inven-
ton. But the extracts from his jour
nal from 1877 to $40 tell the interest.
ing story of his close association with
this work:
1S77-January 9-Prof. Bell called
10 borrow batteries. ] sent five cells
Eagles battery. to his rooms at I'll
Fourteenth street. ! went over in the
evening to see his telephones.
January 11--Green made boxes for
Prof. Bells instruments. Prof. Bel