Does the name Alexander Graham Bell ring any...well, bells? Although not technically the first to do it he was the first to patent and popularize the telephone, invented electronic hearing aids, and several other electircal devices during his lifetime. Born in Scotland, raised in Canada and eventually set up shop in Boston working with the deaf (his father was one of the inventors of sign language so it came naturally in his family).
I would say those are some pretty significant accomplishements.