Telegraph Resonator

Description (Brief):

Telegraph sounders convert electrical pulses into audible sounds and are used to receive Morse code messages. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. Short pulses make a dot, slightly longer pulses make a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. The pulses energize the sounder’s electromagnets which move a lever-arm. The arm makes a loud “click” when it strikes a crossbar and the operator translates the pattern of sounds into the original language. A resonator like this was used to amplify the sound, making it easier for an operator to hear his or her own sounder when working in a room filled with these devices.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: New York, New York City

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity, Communications, Telegraph Sounders

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: from Western Union Corporation

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: EM.331000Accession Number: 294351Collector/Donor Number: 100-433Catalog Number: 331000

Object Name: telegraph resonator

Physical Description: wood (overall material)metal (overall material)Measurements: overall: 17 in x 6 7/8 in x 6 in; 43.18 cm x 17.4625 cm x 15.24 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-1b98-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_890479

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