February 14 in Victorian History
What the Victorians were up to on this date, year by remarkable year.
1876
Bell files his telephone patent
On Valentine's Day, Alexander Graham Bell files his patent for improvements in telegraphy -- the telephone -- at the US Patent Office. He beats rival Elisha Gray by a matter of hours in one of the most famous races in invention history. The patent, number 174,465, will become the most valuable ever issued.
1895
The Importance of Being Earnest premieres
Oscar Wilde's glittering comedy opens at the St James's Theatre in London on Valentine's Day. The audience roars at Lady Bracknell, the handbag and the double life of Ernest. It is the pinnacle of Wilde's career -- within weeks he will be in the dock at the Old Bailey.