24 segment Baudot plate distributor, 1870-1924

24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France 24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France 24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence

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24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

24 segment Baudot plate distributor, unknown maker, France, 1870-1924.

The Baudot telegraph system allowed several telegraph messages, typically four, to be sent along the same wire simultaneously. It was developed in France by Émile Baudot (1845-1903), who made use of the fact that a single operator did not make efficient use of the line. The operators worked in exact synchronisation, each sending their segment when a 'cadence note' sounded. The distributor was central to the operation of the Baudot telegraph system, as it connected each transmitter and receiver to the single line in turn. It operated using revolving brushes of flexible metal, which were driven by weights or an electric motor. These brushes swept over the surface of the plate segments in pairs.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1924-155
Materials:
textile, metal (unknown), plastic (unidentified) and copper (alloy)
Measurements:
overall: 45 mm x 140 mm diameter, 1.27 kg
type:
telegraph
credit:
Donated by the General Post Office (West)