Object Details
- 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. This unit, made by well-known New York manufacturer Tillotson & Co., and is a tyipcal unit from the latter 19th Century.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- L. G. Tillotson & Co.
- Credit Line
- from George W. Campbell
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- cloth (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 3 1/2 in x 3 in x 5 in; 8.89 cm x 7.62 cm x 12.7 cm
- Object Name
- telegraph sounder
