Experimental microphones using steel needles and gas carbon, 1878-1890

Made:
1878-1890 in England
maker:
David Edward Hughes
One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles

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One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

One experimental microphone consisting of steel needles
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Two experimental microphones consisting of steel needles suspended in contact with blocks of gas carbon, probably made by David Edward Hughes, England, 1878-1890.

The development of the microphone owes much to David Edward Hughes (1831-1901). Building on the work of Willoughby Smith and Sir William Thomson, Hughes attempted to detect changes in the resistance of wire with sound. He discovered that these changes occurred only when his stretched test wire broke and when he touched the ends together. He found that light but constant pressure was the only essential and in this experiment tried steel needles in contact with blocks of carbon. Hughes did not patent his discoveries, meaning that subsequent inventors were able to make use of them without giving Hughes the credit.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1922-148
Materials:
glass, wood (unidentified), wax, copper (alloy), steel (metal) and carbon
Measurements:
overall: 100 mm x 50 mm diameter, .06 kg
type:
microphone
credit:
Executors of the late Anna C. Hughes