Magnetic Belt Recorder

Magnetic Belt Recorder

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Usage conditions apply
Description (Brief)
Recording machines designed for dictation have used many different formats over the years. This “Time-master” unit made by Dictaphone Corporation used a 3.5-inch wide belt coated with a magnetizable material. Sold as “Dictabelt Records” in a pack of 10, these belts were stronger than regular, thin plastic recording tape.
This machine was used in the office of historian Daniel J. Boorstin when he served as director of the National Museum of History and Technology. The unit includes a loudspeaker, two different types of foot-pedal controls, and a “Twin Ear” head set.
.01: Dictaphone “Time-master” electronic dictating machine, (version 1). Includes vinyl cover, power cord (~2 meters) and green extension cord (~ 2 meters). Also includes “Dictabelt Records” (blank recording belts), one full pack of 10 belts and one pack of 9. On bottom: label 1 reads: “UL Listed under reexamination service of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.”; label 2 reads: “Rated 110 VAC 60 Cycles 45 Watts (B)”; label 3 reads in part: “Dictaphone Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Registered Trade Mark electronic dictating machine”. Patents listed for 9 countries including US 2219030 to 2667613. Printed on front: “Dictaphone Time-master Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.”; knobs labeled: “V”, “T”, “S”. Printed on back: “Dictaphone Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. Transcribing Machine”. Printed on vinyl cover: “Dictaphone Dictating Machine Time-master Model”.
.02: Dictaphone speaker. Cord (~2 meters) to attach to transcription machine. Decals on front and back: “Dictaphone”. Painted on bottom: “51343”
.03: Dictaphone pedal control with 2 pedals and cord (~2 meters) to attach to transcription machine. Printed on bottom: “51349”, “Final OK”.
.04: Dictaphone FC-15 pedal control with single pedal and cord (~2 meters) to attach to transcription machine. Printed on bottom: “Model FC-15”. Bottom: label reads: “UL Listed under reexamination service of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.”
.05: Dictaphone FC-15 pedal control with single pedal and cord (~2 meters) to attach to transcription machine. Printed on bottom: “Model FC-15”. Bottom, one label reads: “UL Listed under reexamination service of Underwriters Laboratories Inc.”; second label reads: “Accepted by H. C.”
.06: Dictaphone “Twin Ear” head set with cord (~1.5 meters) to attach to transcription machine. Stamped on hinge: “Dictaphone Twin-Ear”.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
dictaphone
recording device
dictating machine
Other Terms
dictaphone; Audio Devices
date made
ca 1955
maker
Dictaphone Corporation
Physical Description
steel (overall material)
plastic (overall material)
vinyl (overall material)
Measurements
dictaphone: 11.4 cm x 33 cm x 26.7 cm; 4 1/2 in x 13 in x 10 1/2 in
speaker: 11.4 cm x 14 cm x 18.4 cm; 4 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in x 7 1/4 in
pedal control 1: 5.8 cm x 18.4 cm x 17.8 cm; 2 5/16 in x 7 1/4 in x 7 in
pedal control 2: 4.1 cm x 15.25 cm x 15.25 cm; 1 5/8 in x 6 in x 6 in
pedal control 3: 4.1 cm x 15.25 cm x 15.25 cm; 1 5/8 in x 6 in x 6 in
headset: 19 cm x 15.25 cm x 2.5 cm; 7 1/2 in x 6 in x in
ID Number
2010.0125.07
catalog number
2010.0125.07
accession number
2010.0125
Credit Line
from the Smithsonian Institution
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Magnetic Recording
Communications
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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