Telegraph Sounder
Telegraph Sounder
Usage conditions apply
- 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. The date refers to US Patent #538816, issued to Jesse H. Bunnell for an improved "Telegraph Sounder". In this patent, Bunnell claimed to increase the volume of the sound produced by constructing the sounder in such a way as to prevent the weight of the electromagnets from damping out the vibration of the armature. In essence, this acted as a built-in resonator.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- telegraph receiver
- telegraph sounder
- date made
- ca 1900
- maker
- J. H. Bunnell & Co.
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- rubber (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 3 1/2 in x 3 in x 5 1/2 in; 8.89 cm x 7.62 cm x 13.97 cm
- ID Number
- EM.332407
- accession number
- 294351
- catalog number
- 332407
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Corporation
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Communications
- Telegraph Sounders
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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Charles Zarobila
Mon, 2021-02-01 11:29