Object Details
- Description (Brief)
- Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. The operator pushes the key’s lever down briefly to make a short signal, a dot, or holds the lever down for a moment to make a slightly longer signal, a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. This key is an example of the earliest type of key used by Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- 1843
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Telegraph Co.
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- mahogany (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 1/2 in x 3 in x 6 in; 3.81 cm x 7.62 cm x 15.24 cm
- Object Name
- telegraph key
