Object Details
- Description
- Telegraph relays amplified electrical signals in a telegraph line. Telegraph messages traveled as a series of electrical pulses through a wire from a transmitter to a receiver. Short pulses made a dot, slightly longer pulses a dash. The pulses faded in strength as they traveled through the wire, to the point where the incoming signal was too weak to directly operate a receiving sounder or register. A relay detected a weak signal and used a battery to strengthen the signal so that the receiver would operate.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- associated person
- Wheatstone, Charles
- maker
- Wheatstone, Charles
- date made
- 1837
- Credit Line
- from University of London King's College, Department of Physics
- Measurements
- overall: 5 in x 3 in x 4 1/2 in; 12.7 cm x 7.62 cm x 11.43 cm
- Object Name
- relay
- electrolytic telegraph relay
- telegraph relay
- Other Terms
- telegraph relay; Magnetic Devices
