Replica of Bell's 1875 tuned reed telephone receiver, 1925-1958
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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Replica of Bell's tuned reed telephone receiver, made by Bell Telephone Laboratories Inc, Albany, New York, United States, 1925-1958.
This was the immediate precursor to Alexander Graham Bell's (1847-1922) 'Gallows' telephone. While Bell and his assistant Thomas Watson were testing the harmonic telegraph, Bell heard a sound coming through the receiver. This was not the frequency the reed had been tuned to, but the actual sound of Watson plucking the string. A contact screw had been wound too tightly, allowing for the continuous current that is essential for transmitting speech. Bell's next development was his 'Gallows frame' telephone, which could transmit indistinct speech.
Details
- Category:
- Telecommunications
- Object Number:
- 1958-33
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy), metal (unknown) and wood (unidentified)
- Measurements:
-
overall: 70 mm x 150 mm x 100 mm, .36kg
- credit:
- Donated by Bell Telehpone Laboratories Inc
