







Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, unknown maker, probably United States, 1879.
This telephone incorporates Thomas Edison's (1841-1901) carbon button transmitter and 'chalk' receiver, and was of the type provided to subscribers to the Edison Telephone Company of London Ltd telephone exchange in 1879-80. Users had to turn a handle continuously to rotate the chalk cylinder of the receiver.
Details
- Category:
- Telecommunications
- Object Number:
- 1953-117
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy), leather, paint, plastic (unidentified), rubber (unidentified), steel (metal) and wood (unidentified)
- type:
- telephone
- taxonomy:
-
- component - object
- credit:
- Donated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers