Part of Bell harmonic telegraph receiver, patent # 161,739

Part of Bell harmonic telegraph receiver, patent # 161,739

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description (Brief)
One of two parts of the receiver for Alexander Graham Bell's harmonic telegraph patent, issued April 6, 1875, #161739, see figure 1. Vertically-mounted electro-magnet with a steel armature on walnut base. The armature appears to be a tuned reed with an adjustment mechanism. A knurled knob set opposite the electromagnet adjusts a sliding bar that holds the reed, thereby allowing the user to adjust the reed's response frequency. Electromagnet may be adjusted vertically by loosening the mounting screw and sliding the bracket up or down. Electromagnet is wired to two brass binding posts. Object is on the left in negative number 29308.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Receiver
telegraph receiver
Other Terms
Receiver; Bell harmonic transmitter; Telephones
date made
1875
maker
Bell, Alexander Graham
Measurements
overall: 4 in x 5 in x 3 3/4 in; 10.16 cm x 12.7 cm x 9.525 cm
ID Number
EM.252597.2
catalog number
252597.2
accession number
49064
patent number
161739
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

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.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.