Communications

Tools of communication have transformed American society time and again over the past two centuries. The Museum has preserved many instruments of these changes, from printing presses to personal digital assistants.

The collections include hundreds of artifacts from the printing trade and related fields, including papermaking equipment, wood and metal type collections, bookbinding tools, and typesetting machines. Benjamin Franklin is said to have used one of the printing presses in the collection in 1726.

More than 7,000 objects chart the evolution of electronic communications, including the original telegraph of Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell's early telephones. Radios, televisions, tape recorders, and the tools of the computer age are part of the collections, along with wireless phones and a satellite tracking system.

This postcard view of Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Francisco Solano De Sonoma founded in 1823, was the last of twenty-one missions built by Spanish Franciscans in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was established to convert American Indians of the region to Catholicism.
Today the mission is a historical site managed by the Sonoma State Historic Parks system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0322
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0322
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
ID Number
GA.12472.01
catalog number
12472
accession number
66548
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver.
Description
Telegraph relays amplify an electrical signal in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages travel as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. The pulses fade in strength as they travel through the wire, limiting the distance a message can be sent. Relays remedy that problem by detecting a weak signal and automatically re-transmitting that signal down the line using a local power source.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
Maker
Western Union Corporation
maker
Jester-Cooper Co.
ID Number
EM.332137
collector/donor number
100-844
accession number
294351
catalog number
332137
Sometime around her 17th birthday, Canadian Bernice Palmer received a Kodak Brownie box camera (No. 2A Model), either for Christmas 1911 or for her birthday on 10 January 1912.
Description
Sometime around her 17th birthday, Canadian Bernice Palmer received a Kodak Brownie box camera (No. 2A Model), either for Christmas 1911 or for her birthday on 10 January 1912. In early April, she and her mother boarded the Cunard liner Carpathia in New York, for a Mediterranean cruise. Carpathia had scarcely cleared New York, when it received a distress call from the White Star liner Titanic on 14 April. It raced to the scene of the sinking and managed to rescue over 700 survivors from the icy North Atlantic. With her new camera, Bernice took pictures of the iceberg that sliced open the Titanic’s hull below the waterline and also took snapshots of some of the Titanic survivors. Lacking enough food to feed both the paying passengers and Titanic survivors, the Carpathia turned around and headed back to New York to land the survivors. Unaware of the high value of her pictures, Bernice sold publication rights to Underwood & Underwood for just $10 and a promise to develop, print, and return her pictures after use. In 1986, she donated her camera, the pictures and her remarkable story to the Smithsonian.
date made
ca 1912
user
Ellis, Bernice P.
maker
Eastman Kodak Company
ID Number
1986.0173.38
accession number
1986.0173
catalog number
1986.0173.38
This postcard view of Mission San Luis Rey was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detr
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Luis Rey was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited the famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was the eighteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. Its dedication ceremonies took place in 1798. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Kumeyaay and Luiseno tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church, a museum, and a retreat site.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2017
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.2017
Until recently “wireless” meant radio, and operators used keys to send radio messages via Morse code. This telegraph key was designed and built by the US Navy for sending wireless messages from ships.On label: "Auxiliary Hand Key. Volts 250 Amperes 50 Cycles 500 Type S.E.
Description (Brief)
Until recently “wireless” meant radio, and operators used keys to send radio messages via Morse code. This telegraph key was designed and built by the US Navy for sending wireless messages from ships.
On label: "Auxiliary Hand Key. Volts 250 Amperes 50 Cycles 500 Type S.E. 68A Serial No. B1049 Mfg'd by Mach'y Div. Navy Yard Boston". Stamped on base: "J [anchor logo] L". Terminals marked in pencil: "B" and "G".
Standard telegraph key with wide space keying contacts for high currents. The Boston Navy Yard was designated to handle the research and design of sending keys. W. Chadbourne was the specialist in this particular area. After World War I, these designs were manufactured by the Wireless Specialty Apparatus Co. Reference: Clark Collection, SRM 26-021.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
Boston Navy Yard. Machinery Division
ID Number
EM.320851
catalog number
320851
accession number
241556
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. The operator moved the lever on this so-called "double speed key" from side to side to make signals.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. The operator moved the lever on this so-called "double speed key" from side to side to make signals. This key has a switch on the side called a circuit-closer that takes the key off-line when not in use.
Hand telegraph key with control knob arranged on a spring for side-ways motion. Contact points are on either side of key bar. A line switch is included on the base. Maker claims operators of this style key will not be affected by cramp. Reference: J. H. Bunnell & Co. Catalog, 1918, page 4.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
J. H. Bunnell & Co.
ID Number
EM.320857
catalog number
320857
accession number
241556
This postcard view of Mission San Antonio was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detroit city directories
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Antonio was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1771, is located south of King City. It was the third of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Salinan tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2052
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.2052
This postcard view of Mission Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles was printed by the Chicago-based Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles was printed by the Chicago-based Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. Published about 1915 by Eno & Matteson in San Diego, the postcard was produced in association with the Panama-California Exposition.
The Curt Teich firm printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers. It used the term "Photochrom," later "Colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Ángeles was founded in 1784 as an ancillary mission to Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, which was the fourth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823. Nuestra Señora was established to convert American Indians of the Tongva tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a chapel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
publisher
Eno & Matteson
graphic artist
Curt Teich & Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0596
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0596
This postcard view of Mission San Jose de Guadalupe was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Jose de Guadalupe was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "Photochrom" later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Jose (formerly and incorrectly assigned the name "Guadalupe") is located near the city of Fremont. It was the fourteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Miwok, Patwin, Costanoan, and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0319
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0319
This postcard view of Mission San Juan Bautista was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Juan Bautista was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited the famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission San Juan Bautista was the fifteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established to convert American Indians of the Mutsun, or Costanoan, and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2018
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.2018
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by International Radio Telegraph Company, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by International Radio Telegraph Company, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber. These keys were necessary on early aircraft and in confined spaces such as aboard ships and submarines where the spark might ignite flammable gasses.
Marked on plate: "Flame-proof Key and Winker / Type CA-1213 Serial 48080 / International Radio Telegraph Co." Reference: Clark Collection: Navy Type Numbers, 1918, page 106.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
maker
International Radio Telegraph Company
ID Number
EM.320856
catalog number
320856
accession number
241556
This postcard view of San Carlos Borroméo (El Carmel Mission) was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Carlos Borroméo (El Carmel Mission) was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "photochrom," later "colortone,' to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo is situated on the Monterey Peninsula in Carmel, Calif. It was the second of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, or Costanoan, tribes to Catholicism. It was moved from its original location in Monterey to its present site in 1771.
Today the mission in Carmel Valley serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0331
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0331
This postcard view of Mission Santa Barbara was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company (previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company) was first listed in Det
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Santa Barbara was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company (previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company) was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. Its manager, William A. Livingstone, invited famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission Santa Barbara was founded on December 4th, 1786, the tenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was established to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church and includes a museum, a Franciscan friary, or monastery, and a retreat site.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2039
catalog number
1986.639.2039
accession number
1986.0639
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1894
1910
about 1804
associated date
1890 - 1900
graphic artist
unknown
ID Number
2014.0037.23
catalog number
2014.0037.23
2014.0037.23
2014.0037.23
accession number
2014.0037
This postcard view of Carmel Mission in Monterey was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed i
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Carmel Mission in Monterey was printed by the Detroit Publishing Company in about 1910, using a copyrighted photolithographic process called "Photostint."
The Detroit Publishing Company, previously known as the Detroit Photographic Company, was first listed in Detroit city directories in 1888. William A. Livingstone, its manager, invited the famous landscape photographer William Henry Jackson to join the company as a partner in 1897. Jackson brought with him his own photographic images, which would be used by the company.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo, or the Old Mission Chapel, was established in 1770 by Fr. Junípero Serra, the Spanish Franciscan founder of twenty-one missions in California between 1769 and 1823. San Carlos was the second of these missions, established to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, or Costanoan, tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
graphic artist
Detroit Publishing Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.2014
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.2014
Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts.
Description
Leyden jars were essential for storing electrical charges used by the earliest wireless radios used aboard ocean liners. Shortly after RMS Carpathia's rescue of Titanic survivors, the ship visited Boston, Massachusetts. Marconi Wireless Radio employee Harry Cheetham boarded Carpathia to service the radio, which had been damaged during the Titanic operations. He replaced these two Leyden jars. One is intact and the other is broken, but fortunately the broken one shows how the jars were constructed inside to store and relay an electrical charge. Cheetham kept these artifacts as Titanic souvenirs, and donated them to the Smithsonian in 1930.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
maker
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd.
ID Number
EM.310242.02
catalog number
310242.02
accession number
113406
Semi-automatic keys like this "Vibroplex" automatically produced rapid morse code dots by using a weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator would make the dashes manually but could send much faster than with an ordinary key.
Description (Brief)
Semi-automatic keys like this "Vibroplex" automatically produced rapid morse code dots by using a weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator would make the dashes manually but could send much faster than with an ordinary key. This key was used by Margaret M. A. Donahue (1892-1984), a Western Union operator.
Margaret Donahue received her radio license 17 February 1913. She attained national attention in 1917 as the "first woman in the United States to get a first-class radio operator's license," when she volunteered her services as the country entered World War I.
The key is housed in its original carrying case. Operators often owned their own keys and would adjust the settings to fit their personal preference. They would take the key with them after their shift. The box is wood with a paper covering, "18" penciled inside lid. Printed on key's label: "Trade "Vibroplex" Mark No. 72839 / U.S.Patents No.767,303 No.812,183 No.842,154 No.1,042,457 No.1,043,449 No.1,260,008 / The Vibroplex Company, Inc. 253 Broadway, New York". Plug stamped "W.U.Tel.Co." Faded decorative painted marks on base.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1919
maker
Vibroplex Company, Inc.
ID Number
1979.1016.01
accession number
1979.1016
catalog number
1979.1016.01
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by American Marconi, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by American Marconi, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber. These keys were necessary on early aircraft and in confined spaces such as aboard ships and submarines where the spark might ignite flammable gasses.
Label reads: "Flame Proof Hand Key - 1/2 K.W. / Volts 300 Amperes 5 Cycles 500 / Type SE86 Serial No. 235 / Mf'd by Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co of America." This unit is a 500 watt flame-proof hand key designed for submarine transmitters. A U-shaped lever arm operates internal contact points. A double-grip knob is affixed to arm. Spring action is adjustable. Marble-type base with two binding posts. Reference: Navy Type Numbers, 1918.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. of America
ID Number
EM.320852
catalog number
320852
accession number
241556
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by General Radio, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber.
Description (Brief)
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code and can spark when the circuit opens. Flame-proof telegraph keys, like this one made by General Radio, were designed to contain the spark within a sealed chamber. These keys were necessary on early aircraft and in confined spaces such as aboard ships and submarines where the spark might ignite flammable gasses. Stamped on cover of this unit: "Airplane / Flame-Proof Radio Key / Type CAG-1169 Made for Navy Department / BU.of S.E. / General Radio Co. / Cambridge Mass." The knob is missing from this specimen.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
maker
General Radio Company
ID Number
2013.0030.02
catalog number
2013.0030.02
accession number
65022
This US Navy telegraph key was designed and built by the Navy for wireless communication from ships. Until recently, “wireless” meant radio and operators used keys to send radio messages via Morse code.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This US Navy telegraph key was designed and built by the Navy for wireless communication from ships. Until recently, “wireless” meant radio and operators used keys to send radio messages via Morse code.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
associated date
1919
maker
Lowenstein Radio Co.
ID Number
2013.0030.01
accession number
2013.0030
catalog number
2013.0030.01
This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepción was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepción was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the word "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe their color printing processes.
Mission La Purísima Concepción is located northwest of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, California. It was the eleventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission is manage by the California State Parks system and serves as one of two state park facilities formerly operated as missions. The other is the Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, Calif.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0317
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0317
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910. The company's published views of California were printed lithographically in Germany.
The Cardinell-Vincent Company was the official postcard publisher for the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915.
Mission Dolores, also known as Mission San Francisco de Asís, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco, founded in 1776. It was the sixth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Bay Miwok, Coast Miwok, and Patwin tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission site is managed by the Sonoma State Historic Park system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
ca 1910
graphic artist
Cardinell-Vincent Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0406
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0406
This postcard view of the Bells of Mission San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of the Bells of Mission San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1915 by Eno & Matteson in San Diego to mark the Panama-California Exposition.
The Curt Teich Company of Chicago printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers. It used the term "Photochrom," later "Colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, is located southeast of Los Angeles. The seventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be founded in California between 1769 and 1823, it was established to convert American Indians of the Juaneño and Luiseno tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a museum and a parish chapel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
publisher
Eno & Matteson
graphic artist
Curt Teich & Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0599
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0599

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.