![](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/46/406/medium_thumbnail_1960_0137__0001_.jpg)
Edison telephone, 1879
- Made:
- 1879 in United States
- inventor:
- Thomas Alva Edison
![Edison telephone, 1879 (telephone)](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/54/547/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0001_.jpg)
![Edison telephone, 1879 (telephone)](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/54/548/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0002_.jpg)
![Edison telephone, 1879 (telephone)](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/54/549/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0003_.jpg)
![Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/46/404/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0007_.jpg)
![Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/46/401/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0004_.jpg)
![Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/46/403/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0006_.jpg)
![Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879](https://coimages.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/46/402/small_thumbnail_1953_0117__0005_.jpg)
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:
- wood (unidentified), plastic (unidentified), brass (copper, zinc alloy), rubber (unidentified), steel (metal), leather and paint
- Measurements:
-
overall: 285 mm x 260 mm x 315 mm, 3.1kg
- type:
- telephone
- credit:
- Donated by the Institution of Electrical Engineers