This is the 150th anniversary of the birthday of the man who invented the telephone. He was born on March 3, 1847, and died on Aug. 2, 1922. Bell started out as a teacher of the deaf. In developing devices to help mutes speak, he hit upon the principle of the oscillating membrane used in the telephone.

He coupled this discovery with experiments that led to the invention of the harmonic telegraph, a device to transmit many electronic signals over one wire. Those two elements, together with Bell's knowledge of the mechanics of human speech and hearing, led to one of the marvels of modern times, the telephone.

Bell spoke the first telephone message ("Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.") on March 10, 1876, and formed the Bell Telephone Co. a year later. [click here for our fuller FECHA biography of Alexander Graham Bell

Model: Bell's synthetic mind. Like many geniuses, Bell had a remarkable ability to put things together...He took things already known and integrated them in ways that nobody ever thought of, and, out of his great optimism, produced something new.

You can see for miles. If you were born on March 3 you are able to clearly visualize what you want to accomplish. Ruled by the number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you can be indecisive and too passive at critical times.

Practically speaking. You are very imaginative, but also practical, allowing you to put your ideas to work. You look for a demand, then try to satisfy that demand. You can see the big picture and focus on details as well. (Your advanced visual skills help you greatly in this respect.)

Secret agent. You are fairly social at work, but you tend to need a highly private, secretive life away from your career. You look for an escape in earthly pleasures like gardening or outdoor sports or you immerse yourself in romantic, imaginative pursuits. You balance your career and this secret life very well.

Mired in minutiae. Whether you're an extrovert or an introvert, you like to plan things to microscopic detail, prepare for any consequence. Your love of planning can bog you down so that you never act. It can also ruin the spontaneity of the act. Sometimes you can't make up your mind which alternative to pursue.

Do you like yourself? You often become totally preoccupied in what you do. Though it's ok to enjoy your activities, you may choose this escapism to avoid thinking too deeply about yourself. You may dislike your own personality due to an overly critical parent or social pressure in childhood.

Some advice: Examine yourself closely and make improvements if you don't like something. Gaining confidence and a sense of wellness will help you folow through on your ideas and become a success. Choose reasonable deadlines and don't dilly dally; take action now.

Also born on this day:
Alexander Graham Bell (invented telephone) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (gold medal-winning heptathlete) Gilbert Adrian (movie fashion designer) Milton Avery (self-taught painter) Ronald Searle (illustrator in New Yorker magazine) Perry Ellis (designer) George Pullman (sleeping car inventor) Rod Hackney (British architect) Sholem Aleichem (Jewish short story writer) Jimmy Garrison (bassist, John Coltrane Quartet) Jean Harlow (actress, sex symbol)