Telegraph Key
Telegraph Key
- 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 pushes the key’s lever down briefly to make a short signal, a dot, or holds the lever down for a moment to make a slightly longer signal, a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. This key has a switch on the side called a circuit-closer that takes the key off-line when not in use. The rear adjustment screw is missing from the lever arm.
- date made
- ca 1900
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- slate (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 5/8 in x 3 1/2 in x 6 in; 4.1275 cm x 8.89 cm x 15.24 cm
- ID Number
- EM.332253
- accession number
- 294351
- catalog number
- 332253
- collector/donor number
- 100-832
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Corporation
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Communications
- Telegraph Keys
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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