Telegraph Sounder

Description (Brief):

Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. The pulses energize the sounder’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm. The arm makes a loud “click” when it strikes a crossbar and the operator translates the pattern of sounds into the original language. This sounder has an unusual structure behind the armature yoke and we are uncertain of its purpose. The Western Union tag indicates this sounder was used in Havana, Cuba in the early twentieth century.

Maker: J. H. Bunnell & Co.

Location: Currently not on view

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity, Communications, Telegraph Sounders

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: from Western Union Corporation

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: EM.332187Accession Number: 294351Catalog Number: 332187Collector/Donor Number: 100-838

Object Name: telegraph receivertelegraph sounderOther Terms: telegraph sounder; Measuring Devices

Physical Description: wood (overall material)brass (overall material)rubber (overall material)Measurements: overall: 4 in x 8 1/2 in x 4 5/8 in; 10.16 cm x 21.59 cm x 11.7475 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-2f5e-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_706035

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