Vibroplex Telegraph Key
Vibroplex Telegraph Key
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- Description (Brief)
- Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. Horace G. Martin patented a practical semi-automatic telegraph key in 1903 and his company dominated the market for these devices. Keys like Martin's "Vibroplex" automatically produced rapid Morse codes dots by using a weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator would make the dashes manually, but could send much faster than with an ordinary key.
- Stamped on label: "Trade The Vibroplex Mark / Pat. June 30.03 / Aug.9.04 / Jan.22.07 / Others Pending / Horace G. Martin / New York - U.S.A." and "11875". Faded decorative painted marks on base. A semi-automatic key with switch, two binding posts.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- semi-automatic key
- telegraph key
- Other Terms
- Radio
- date made
- ca 1908
- maker
- Martin, Horace G.
- Physical Description
- slate (overall material)
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 8 in; 6.35 cm x 8.89 cm x 20.32 cm
- ID Number
- EM.320853
- catalog number
- 320853
- accession number
- 241556
- Credit Line
- from Franklin Wingard
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Telegraph Keys
- Communications
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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