Page 2 – International Peace and Film Festival

August 4, 2024

Street view of La Sagrada Familia in Spain

Behold the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, a masterpiece of architectural brilliance! 🏰🌟 Designed by the legendary Antoni Gaudí, this iconic basilica is a true symbol of Catalan modernism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🏆

🕰️ The construction of La Sagrada Familia began in 1882, and it remains an ongoing project, embodying the vision and creativity of Gaudí. 🌿 He dedicated over 40 years of his life to this monumental work, blending Gothic and Art Nouveau forms to create a structure unlike any other. 🌟

⛪ The basilica’s stunning facades tell the story of Christ’s birth, passion, and glory, adorned with intricate sculptures and breathtaking details. 🌿 The Nativity Façade celebrates the birth of Jesus, while the Passion Façade portrays the suffering of Christ, and the Glory Façade, still under construction, will depict the heavenly ascension. 🕊️

🌟 Step inside to marvel at the ethereal interior, where towering columns resemble a forest canopy, and vibrant stained glass windows bathe the space in a kaleidoscope of colors. 🌈 This architectural marvel is not just a place of worship but a testament to Gaudí’s genius and his deep connection to nature and spirituality. 🌿

🌍 Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or a traveler seeking beauty, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a must-visit landmark in Barcelona. 🌟 Its significance extends beyond religion, representing the artistic and cultural heritage of Spain. 📜

📸✨ Share in the wonder and history of this extraordinary structure, a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate the world!

Video Footage and Editing: Jef Gray
Production: International Peace and Film Festival
Music: Streets of Barcelona, written by Jef Gray, Performed by Aurous

Streets of Barcelona

Song Lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Have you seen the streets of Barcelone
Where the moonlight dances on cobblestone
And the passion ignites in every soul
As the guitars strum their melody bold
Underneath the stars, we’ll never be apart

[Chorus]
Enamorado de ti, mi amor
Bajo el cielo estrellado, nuestro calor
Juntos en esta noche de pasión
Bajo la luna, en esta canción

[Verse 2]
Feel the rhythm of our hearts beating as one
In this moment, our love has just begun
Lost in each other, in this sweet romance
In the city where love gets a second chance
In your arms, I find my home

[Chorus]
Enamorado de ti, mi amor
Bajo el cielo estrellado, nuestro calor
Juntos en esta noche de pasión
Bajo la luna, en esta canción

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August 4, 2024

Surprising facts about our moon, also called Luna

Facts About Luna

Dive into the Mysteries of the Moon!

Surprising facts about our moon, also called Luna.

We only see about 59% of the moon’s surface from Earth, due to the tidal lock orbit. This is also why we always see the same side of the moon.

Seismic activities, called Moonquakes, occur on the moon due to the gravitational pull between Earth and the Sun.

According to Apollo astronauts the moon smells like gunpowder, or burnt charcoal.

The moon orbits Earth in an elliptical cycle every 27.3 days, during that time the elliptical path affects the appearance, and distance of the moon, to Earth. This is why it appears larger or smaller on different nights.

The marked locations shown during the night views of this video are the locations of the Apollo lunar landings.

The temperature on the moon has extreme ranges from 127°C in the day, to -173°C at night.

Gravity on the moon is about one-sixth, of Earth’s gravity, and there is a very thin exosphere, made up of helium, neon, and other trace gases.

The moon is about one-fourth the size of Earth, orbiting from approximately 253,000 miles away.

Ancient sailors relied on the cycles of the moon to navigate, and measure time spent at sea.

If you learned something new, please repost this video to share with others.

Music: Inspirational Documentary Cinematic Piano, by Yevhen Onoychenko -Pixabay

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August 3, 2024

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus – Immersive Video

A hyper close up study of the details of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus.

Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli Firenze 1445 – 1510

This is a three dimensional interpretation on the of one of the most famous and inspiring paintings in the world.

What is it like to see the Birth of Venus in person?

I was able to nudge my way through the crowd to see the details and share the idea of what it feels like to see this painting in person. It took travel across the world, lengthy walks and standing in long lines to get just a few moments of an unobstructed view…but the moment finally came, and there she was, Venus! But seeing a snapshot from a mobile phone while in the gallery is not a good representation of how it feels to see the painting. This is why I make videos more often than I make still image captures.

The lighting in the viewing area is terrible, it’s clinical and bright, not the traditional candles that would have lit this masterpiece over 500 years ago. Each detail takes time to appreciate, the outlines of fingernails, strands of hair gilded in gold, the whispy breaths of the Zephyrs, and so much more.

The immersive video is a concept of dropping in from space, taking a few upclose (very close) moments and then on to the next experience in life.

Where is the Birth of Venus Painting?

Venus can be found in The Uffizi (pronounced oo-feet-z) gallery, which is a massive museum in Florence, Italy. The museum is certainly worth a half day of your vacation travel time. Forget the tour guides unless you like standing in groups while everyone else is free to roam and read the info cards. The most productive way to see the highlights is to buy a ticket ahead of time, and enjoy. You can spend days there, but two to three hours is enough for those on a time crunch.

Details About Botticelli’s Venus

Known as the “Birth of Venus”, the composition actually shows the goddess of love and beauty arriving on land, on the island of Cyprus, born of the sea spray and blown there by the winds, Zephyr and perhaps, Aura. The goddess is standing on a giant scallop shell, as pure and as perfect as a pearl. She is met by a young woman, who is sometimes identified as one of the Graces or as the Hora of spring, and who holds out a cloak covered in flowers. Even the roses, blown in by the wind are a reminder of spring. The subject of the painting, which celebrates Venus as symbol of love and beauty, was perhaps suggested by the poet Agnolo Poliziano.

It is highly probable that the work was commissioned by a member of the Medici family, although there is nothing written about the painting before 1550, when Giorgio Vasari describes it in the Medici’s Villa of Castello, owned by the cadet branch of the Medici family since the mid-15th century. This hypothesis would seem to be born out by the orange trees in the painting, which are considered an emblem of the Medici dynasty, on account of the assonance between the family name and the name of the orange tree, which at the time was ‘mala medica’. Unlike the “Allegory of Spring”, which is painted on wood, the “Birth of Venus” was painted on canvas, a support that was widely used throughout the 15th century for decorative works destined to noble houses.

Botticelli takes his inspiration from classical statues for Venus’ modest pose, as she covers her nakedness with long, blond hair, which has reflections of light from the fact that it has been gilded; even the Winds, the pair flying in one another’s embrace, is based on an ancient work, a gem from the Hellenistic period, owned by Lorenzo the Magnificent. You can see the strands of her hair in the video, painted with incredible precision. From the standing point of view in the Uffizi gallery, these details are harder to see. Another surprise is how the artist presented the fingernails which look normal at a distance, but up close would make a modern women of today cringe with how dirty they appear. Her eyes, are incredibly detailed, and preserve the idea of a glance that is not directed toward the viewer but is about to shift in their direction. Some liberties were taken in the video to add the next second where she might blink, and turn in the viewers direction.

About the Immersive Video

Video footage and editing: by Jef Gray.
Production: The International Peace and Film Festival
Music: Venus Rising performed by Aurous, written by Jef Gray

Song Lyrics:

[Verse 1]

In Florence’s realms, a tale to tell
Of Venus glowing, in a sea-shell.

Ethereal beauty, timeless grace
Her birth unveiled in an artist’s embrace.

Captured in hues,
a masterpiece so divine

[Chorus]

Venus rising from the foam
A symbol of love, she’ll never roam.

Guiding hearts through history’s tome
Embracing souls in an artist’s home

[Verse 2]
From Botticelli’s brush, she emerged.
A vision pure, with love converged

Inspiring poets, painters, and dreamers
In her beauty, we find shimmering streams.

Art’s eternal flame, Venus’ gentle reign.

[Chorus]

Venus rising from the foam
A symbol of love, she’ll never roam

Guiding hearts through histories’ tome
Embracing souls in an artist’s home

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August 3, 2024

Immersive Exploration of Michelangelo Masterpieces

Michelangelo Immersive Experience

An immersive 3-D tour of Michelangelo’s Masterpieces

🌟 Step into the world of the Renaissance with our captivating video showcasing the iconic works of Michelangelo like never before! Dive into stunning 3D scenes featuring:

🗿 David – Marvel at the perfection of this timeless statue.

🙏 La Pietà – Feel the emotion in every detail of this poignant sculpture.

⚡ Moses – Experience the power and grandeur of this masterpiece.

🌌 Sistine Chapel – Be awed by the breathtaking ceiling, reimagined in immersive 3D!

🌍 Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, or simply curious, this video brings Michelangelo’s genius to life in a way you’ve never seen before.

From the Author:

The master works of Michelangelo a sculptor, architect, poet, and reluctant although exceptional painter of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo completed his last work in 1564, at the age of 89. His resilience in life was as impressive as his skill in carving lifelike figures from solid blocks of carrara marble. Michelangelo was pushed to complete the ceiling of the Sistine chapel, even though he had done very few fresco paintings. The condition of the ceiling at the time seemed to need the care of a sculptor and stone mason, who could also create amazing art worthy of the Pope’s chapel–making him the obvious choice. This is a massive ceiling! At the end of the video you can see a pan view of it all. The video is meant to bring you closer to the art, where it becomes more alive.

I took hundreds of photos while in Florence and Rome but none can come close to the in-person experience of seeing it for yourself. You think you know what it’s going to look like, until you are there and it’s much more than expected. I watched thousands of tourist approach statues of stone and marvel at how lifelike the art was…while the people became like statues, standing frozen in awe. The lyrics in the song captured that amazement, as do all the words, written to play along with the video. Music is by Aurous, photography and video editing by Jef Gray, stock images are from Wikipedia. Enjoy!

[Song Lyrics] Five hundred years and still we gaze, Carved from solid rock, the beauty made. Heros in the fight, Heavenly delight. How could I know, Michelangelo. Carrara marble, turns to flesh and bone. Coming alive, while turning me to stone. Pictures wasted there, Nothing can compare. How could I know, Michelangelo. They’ll never understand, How God had touched your hand. The secret of, Michelangelo.

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June 23, 2024

Gen X Anthem

Last of an Analog World by Aurous

About the Gen X Anthem by Aurous

The GenX Anthem (Last of an Analog World) by Aurous is a theme song written for Generation X. This is the full version by Aurous featuring a female lead with guitar riffs more inline with the sounds of genx music in the 80’s. The original sample of the song received a tremendous response from Gen Xers on Tik Tok, with comments coming from across the United States, including the year of their “status” as a GenX member.

However, the popularity of the original sample had some limitations, as it had been chopped down to fit a short social media viewing time. That meant placing the vocals right at the beginning, without the intro guitar. The lyrics also had to be trimmed.

“I was thrilled that other Gen Xers like the song concept, but I still wanted to use the full lyrics because the message of the song was about encouraging younger generations, not just the hardships of our time,” said Jef Gray, songwriter of the GenX Anthem.

“I think GenX has a lot of perspective to offer, but if we focus on how hard some things were back then, we’re like a person that condescends to anyone who feels ‘cold’–because we come from Siberia. We’ve all been in conversations like that, and no one feels warmer just because someone knows a colder place.”

Gray’s intention was not to stress the difficulty of GenX life, but to contrast it with all the conveniences (many that were built by GenX) of our modern day. “If we traveled without phones, gps, or Google and arrived with just a map–surely the younger generations can conquer their modern struggles as well.” said, Gray.

The full version brought that message back into the song, and as a twist, used a female vocal track rather than the original male version. The result was a stronger intro, heavy guitar styles, and a hard hitting sound that makes people want to turn up the volume.

“This is a rocker, not a nostalgic stroll down memory lane,” said Gray, who used AI and editing software to produce the creative commons song with his lyrics. The song is owned by Aurous Publishing.

Gen X Anthem – Last of an Analog World, is royalty free for personal use. The high quality audio and video track are available on PeaceFestival.us

Lyrics:

Gen X Anthem
Last of an Analog World by Aurous

[Intro]
Yeah!…

Here’s a message from the X Generation,
To the younger ones across our nation.
We know your struggling to make your way,
Big dreams but you got bills to pay.
It was the same for us, way back then,
Life is a lesson, let the class begin.

[Bridge]
Questions tell you more,
Than answers do.
Try to imagine,
What we’ve been through.

[Chorus]
And all the changes, we have learned.
No matter what, this world will turn.
So live your life in the time that’s now
Things will work out in the end somehow.

We are the last of an analog world,
Unwinding time like a flag unfurled.
We saw it happen all across our lives,
That’s why we know you can still survive.

No mobile phones, computers or GPS.
If you had trouble then you dealt with it
No remote for Three channels on our TV,
Google search was books in a library.
Hand written letters took three days to send,
Someone moving meant you lost a friend.

First job came at age fifteen,
First date was at Dairy Queen.
The radio was your main escape,
Recording songs on cassette tape.

[Pre Chorus]
We are the bridge between old and new,
Passing on wisdom to guide what you do.

[Chorus]
And all the changes, we have learned.
No matter what, this world will turn.
So live your life in the time that’s now,
Things will work out in the end somehow.
We are the last of an analog world,
Unwinding time like a flag unfurled.
We saw it happen all across our lives,
That’s why we know you can still survive!

Here is the original sample of Last of an Analog World.

@peacefestival 🎵 #GenX Song – Last of an Analog World 🎸 Dedicated to GenX. The generation that saw all the changes from the analog world to modern time, and built most of the gadgets we use today. GenX as you find each other across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and X–this song is for you, with some advice for the younger generations to come. The struggles faced by GenX, forced them to make things easier for their heirs. Road trips without a phone, GPS or air conditioning has been transformed in their lifetime. The song lyrics convey just a few of the “struggles” survived by those born between 1965 and 1980. But the message is not about how hard life was during those years. It’s about the idea that if the Genexers survived without all the modern convenience today, then there is hope that the next generations will prosper because they have more to work with, more tools, more knowledge and access to information. “The idea that we had to sit in a library for hours and devour five to ten books to find one answer, says a lot about how fast things are today. That was our Google search. But there is also something to be said for learning fifty unintended things, while searching for that one answer. That’s the meaning in the lyric, “Questions tell you more, than answers do,” said Jef Gray, songwriter of Last of the Analog World. “The struggles to come will be in the hands of our children, and their children. The lyrics are meant to share our perspective from a time when everything was harder than it is now…and luckily there are no videos of all the crazy things we did! Peace to All! Lyrics: Last of the Analog World Hear a message from the X Generation To the younger ones across our nation We know your struggling to make your way Big dreams, but you got bills to pay It was the same for us back in our day But somehow we made our way… Chorus: We are the last of an analog world Unwinding time like a flag unfurled We saw it happen all across our lives That’s why I know we can still survive Questions tell you more, than answers do. Try to imagine, what we’ve come through. No mobile phones, no GPS. If we had trouble, then you dealt with it Three channels on our TV Google search was a librar-ar-ry Hand written letters took three days to send Someone moving meant, you lost your friend Long distance call were a luxury Outside was where you’d always be First job came at age 15 First date was at Dairy Queen We are the last of an analog world Unwinding time like a flag unfurled We saw it happen all across our lives That’s why I know we can still survive We are the last of an analog world Unwinding time like a flag unfurled We saw it happen all across our lives That’s why I know we can still survive Lyrics, graphics, cover art: Jef Gray Music: Aurous Video production: International Peace and Film Festival #music #advice #rocksong #aimusic #generationx #generationxers #generationxremembers ♬ Last of an Analog World – Jef

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June 3, 2024

Last of An Analog World

Dedicated to GenX. The generation that saw all the changes from the analog world to modern time, and built most of the gadgets we use today. GenX as you find each other across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and X–this song is for you, with some advice for the younger generations to come. The struggles faced by GenX, forced them to make things easier for their heirs. Road trips without a phone, GPS or air conditioning has been transformed in their lifetime. The song lyrics convey just a few of the “struggles” survived by those born between 1965 and 1980. But the message is not about how hard life was during those years. It’s about the idea that if the Genexers survived without all the modern convenience today, then there is hope that the next generations will prosper because they have more to work with, more tools, more knowledge and access to information.

“The idea that we had to sit in a library for hours and devour five to ten books to find one answer, says a lot about how fast things are today. That was our Google search. But there is also something to be said for learning fifty unintended things, while searching for that one answer. That’s the meaning in the lyric, “Questions tell you more, than answers do,” said Jef Gray, songwriter of Last of the Analog World. “The struggles to come will be in the hands of our children, and their children. The lyrics are meant to share our perspective from a time when everything was harder than it is now…and luckily there are no videos of all the crazy things we did! Peace to All!

Lyrics: Last of the Analog World

Hear a message from the X Generation
To the younger ones across our nation
We know your struggling to make your way
Big dreams, but you got bills to pay

It was the same for us back in our day
But somehow we made our way…

Chorus:

We are the last of an analog world
Unwinding time like a flag unfurled
We saw it happen all across our lives
That’s why I know we can still survive

Questions tell you more, than answers do.
Try to imagine, what we’ve come through.
No mobile phones, no GPS.
If we had trouble, then you dealt with it

Three channels on our TV
Google search was a librar-ar-ry
Hand written letters took three days to send
Someone moving meant, you lost your friend

Long distance call were a luxury
Outside was where you’d always be
First job came at age 15
First date was at Dairy Queen

We are the last of an analog world
Unwinding time like a flag unfurled
We saw it happen all across our lives
That’s why I know we can still survive

We are the last of an analog world
Unwinding time like a flag unfurled
We saw it happen all across our lives
That’s why I know we can still survive

Lyrics, graphics, cover art: Jef Gray
Music: Aurous
Video production: International Peace and Film Festival

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June 1, 2024

Happy Birthday from the Internet

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May 28, 2024

Time is the Fire in Which We Burn

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A post shared by Intl. Peace & Film Festival (@intpeacefest)

Background on the song: Jef Gray shared some original lyrics and a poetry reference with an AI music software, creating this amazing, although somewhat imperfect song. The lyrical title comes from a poem, Calmly We Walk through This April’s Day, by Delmore Schwartz (1938). The chosen line was “Time is the fire in which we burn.” Jef had originally heard the line in a Star Trek movie and searched for the source. After finding the Schwartz Poem, he decided to keep the reference going beyond Star Trek and ended up putting those words into the chorus of the song. Jef added some additional lyrics into the AI generator and the song is what you hear above. Video is footage is from the Gulf of Mexico on #CelebrityBeyond in January 2024. Enjoy!

_{Delmore Schwartz, “Calmly We Walk Through This April’s Day” from Selected Poems (1938-1958): Summer Knowledge. Copyright © 1967 by Delmore Schwartz. Reprinted with the permission of New Directions Publishing Corporation, www.wwnorton.com/nd/welcome.htm
Source: Selected Poems (1938-1958): Summer Knowledge (New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1967)}

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April 11, 2024

Solar Eclipse Quiz

Coincidence or By Design? – Total Solar Eclipse Facts

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A post shared by Intl. Peace & Film Festival (@intpeacefest)

Video Transcript

How many planets, experience a total solar eclipse?
A total solar eclipse is when one planet completely blocks the sun.
Totality is only possible if the objects appear the same size in the sky.
But the moon and sun are completely different sizes and distances from Earth.
This means the ratio of the distance to Earth, and sizes of the moon and sun, are exactly matched.
To see an eclipse in totality from any other planet is actually impossible.
The exact ratio needed, which is 400 to 1, only exists on Earth.
Even though there are eight planets with a combination of 293 moons in all, only Earth experiences solar totality.
What a coincidence for the only planet where life, is known to exist…

Video Credits

Script, Still Graphics, 3D Animation and Video Editing: Jef Gray
Planet footage: Christian Bodhi-Pixabay
Video Production: International Peace and Film Festival

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March 8, 2024

Official Selection: The Other Half

Sri Lanka

In 2035 Mars will be close enough for vacations. Imagine taking a space cruise to Mars. #ScienceFiction

Oxidian tours is currently developing biosphere resorts and excursions in the top Martian cities, and you can book your dream holiday now before vacancies are filled. The shortest journey will occur in September 2035 when opposition occurs making the distance between Earth and Mars less than 36 million miles. This is the shortest possible distance between the planets due to our elliptical and constant orbits around the sun .

Enjoy the luxury of space life on board our Carrillion class vessel, arriving in just 100 days. Each cabin has unlimited telescope usage, and exclusive Hubble access for endless exploration. Or you can select an antiaging hyper sleep treatment. Arrive refreshed in Aonia, relax on board or in our exclusive villas.

Shopping on Mars is a must at Sirenum Mall, and of course the famous Martian night life of Xanthe is out of this world. Watch both moons rise as you dine in Arabia Terra, and stop by the space market for souvenirs to take home.

For the adventurous, there is cave exploration in Noachis, famous for glowing butterflies🦋 , and the nature conservatory in Aonia is a breathtaking experience. Take a journey with your family or travel among singles, Mars awaits all.

Luxury space cruise to Mars in 2035 science fiction

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February 11, 2024

planet orbit quiz - how long is one year by planet

How long is one year on each planet?

A Planetary Orbit Quiz

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🚀 Explore the solar system’s wonders with our Planet Orbit Quiz! 🌌 Ever wondered how long a year is on Mars, Jupiter, or Neptune? Find out in this quick and exciting video! 🌟 Test your knowledge and learn fascinating facts about planetary orbits and time scales compared to Earth’s year. 🌞 Watch stunning clips of each planet and guess which one takes the longest or shortest time to orbit the Sun. 🌠 Join the cosmic journey now and unravel the mysteries of our celestial neighbors!

The planet orbit quiz is a time comparison of one year on each planet Planet compared to Earth.

Script, video editing, graphic design: Jef Gray
Planets alignment footage: Pixabay
Production: International Peace and Film Festival

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February 11, 2024

Planet Orbit Quiz

A quiz of how long one year is for each planet in the solar system

Script, video editing, graphic design: Jef Gray
Planets alignment footage: Pixabay
Production: International Peace and Film Festival

planet orbit quiz - how long is one year on each planet

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February 9, 2024

velentines day and the first telephone - alexander and mabel bell

The Story Behind The First Telephone and Valentine’s Day

The inspiring love story between Alexander and Mabel Bell

Video Transcript

A love story that rings a Bell … This is a love story about a boy named Alec and a girl named Mabel.

Alec and his family had moved from Edinborough Scotland to Cambridge in 1873. He and his father taught speech for the deaf at Boston University.

Mabel came from a wealthy family, but at the age of five she endured Scarlet fever which caused her to lose her hearing.

As you might have guessed, Mabel eventually attended the same school for the deaf, where she met Alec. Over the years, their relationship blossomed into love.

This is where the story gets interesting. Alec wasn’t only a teacher, he was also an inventor with an idea to solve a common problem of the day. The modern telegraph had limitations, where the wire could only transmit one conversation at a time by Morse code.

Alec’s idea was to allow multiple conversations by Morse to occur through different tones on the same wire. He used his knowledge of human vocal chords to build a system that could reproduce tones electronically.

Alec had spent his life teaching and communicating with his deaf mother, his students and his future wife Mabel. Then it occurred to him, instead of creating tones for faster Morse code and telegrams, why not duplicate the human voice over a wire?

Mabel was supportive of Alec and spent time with him as he worked toward an invention that would eventually change the world. She and Alec wanted to marry but her father Mr. Hubbard insisted Alec patent his invention first.

And so, in true love story fashion, on Valentine’s Day in 1876, Alec, known formally as Alexander Graham Bell, patented his design for the Improvement in Telegraphy. Commonly known today as the telephone.

Alec and Mabel were married the following year, and went on to have a family and create more inventions in their lifetime.

Graphics, AI Narration, Script and Video Editing: Jef Gray
Production: International Peace and Film Festival

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