Semi-automatic Telegraph Key
- Description (Brief)
- Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The Mecograph Company created a right-angle semi-automatic telegraph key around 1906. They competed with Horace Martin's Vibroplex Company until Martin purchased Mecograph in 1914. the design is also referred to as a "side-swiper." A semi-automatic key repeated the Morse code dots rapidly, much like holding down a key on a keyboard for repeated letters. The operator still keyed the dashes but could work much faster.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- maker
- Mecograph Company
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 3/4 in x 4 in x 5 7/8 in; 6.985 cm x 10.16 cm x 14.9225 cm
- ID Number
- EM.332297
- accession number
- 294351
- collector/donor number
- 72-01
- catalog number
- 332297
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Corporation
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Communications
- Telegraph Keys
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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