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 has a switch on the side called a circuit-closer that takes the key off-line when not in use.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- J. H. Bunnell & Co.
- date made
- ca 1880
- Credit Line
- from International Business Machines, Inc., William J. Hammer Collection
- Physical Description
- wood (overall material)
- brass (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 1 3/4 in x 2 1/4 in x 5 1/4 in; 4.445 cm x 5.715 cm x 13.335 cm
- Object Name
- telegraph key
