Telegraph Key
Telegraph Key
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- 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- telegraph key
- date made
- ca 1900
- maker
- J. H. Bunnell & Co.
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/4 in x 2 7/8 in x 5 in; 3.175 cm x 7.3025 cm x 12.7 cm
- ID Number
- 2013.3040.09
- nonaccession number
- 2013.3040
- catalog number
- 2013.3040.09
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Telegraph Keys
- Communications
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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