Vibroplex Telegraph Key
Vibroplex Telegraph Key
Usage conditions apply
- 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 code 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.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- bug
- semi-automatic key
- sending key
- telegraph key
- maker
- Martin, Horace G.
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 8 1/4 in; 6.35 cm x 8.89 cm x 20.955 cm
- ID Number
- EM.331685
- accession number
- 294351
- collector/donor number
- 100-060
- catalog number
- 331685
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Corporation
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Telegraph Keys
- Communications
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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