Edison telephone, 1879

Made:
1879 in United States
inventor:
Thomas Alva Edison
Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879 Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879 Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879 Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879 Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver. Detail view of bell. Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver

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Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver, 1879
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver. Detail view of bell.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with Edison chalk receiver
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

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