Today in Nerd History | March 10

March 10 brings us a technological breakthrough that changed the world and the debut of one of the most iconic supernatural TV shows ever. Let’s explore some Nerdy Facts about the first telephone call and Buffy the Vampire Slayer!

Inclusion on this list does not imply that the entry is family friendly, only that it was a nerd culture milestone. Parents should, of course, use discernment.

On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the world’s first successful telephone call, speaking the famous words, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”

Nerdy Facts:

• Accidental Discovery: Bell didn’t initially intend to invent the telephone—his primary goal was to create a device to help the hearing impaired.
• The Race to the Patent Office: Bell and inventor Elisha Gray both worked on telephone designs, but Bell submitted his patent application just hours before Gray, securing credit for the invention.
• First Long-Distance Call: In 1915, Bell made the first transcontinental call from New York to San Francisco, with his former assistant Watson answering from the other end.

On March 10, 1997, Buffy the Vampire Slayer premiered, bringing a mix of horror, humor, and teen drama that would influence countless shows after it.

Nerdy Facts:

• A Second Chance: The show was based on the 1992 movie of the same name, which was a flop. Joss Whedon reworked his original vision into a TV series, and it became a cult classic.
• The Scooby Gang: The nickname for Buffy’s group of friends, “The Scooby Gang,” was a direct reference to Scooby-Doo, another show about teens solving supernatural mysteries.
• A TV First: The show’s episode “Hush” is famous for having nearly 30 minutes of silence, making it one of the most unique and terrifying episodes in TV history.

March 10 celebrates game-changing inventions and pop culture-defining television. Happy Nerd History Day!