Specimen of telegraph cable laid in Birmingham in 1856

Specimen of telegraph cable laid in Birmingham in 1856 Specimen of telegraph cable laid in Birmingham in 1856

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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Specimen of early telegraph cables laid in Birmingham in 1856, unearthed in 1898, unknown maker, British, 1856. 12 gutta-percha covered copper wires, each wire being around 1.67mm in diameter, making it most likely a No. 16 gauge wire of the period. The gutta-percha covering makes each wire 5.6mm in diameter

This cable sample was taken from a telegraph cable laid in Birmingham in 1856 and unearthed in 1898. It consists of 12 copper wires, insulated with gutta percha, which is a rubber-like substance with good insulating properties.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1923-279
Materials:
copper (metal) and gutta-percha
Measurements:
overall: 190 mm, 23 mm, .09 kg
type:
cable
credit:
Donated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers