Wall telephone, 1880-1920

Wall telephone with mica-diaphragm transmitter and built-in

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Wall telephone with mica-diaphragm transmitter and built-in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Wall telephone with mica-diaphragm transmitter and built-in bell, unknown maker, probably British, 1880-1920.

The majority of early telephones were wall mounted, with a transmitter connected by a cord. A separate battery was needed to power the phone, and sometimes the bell set was also housed separately.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
1981-523
Materials:
plastic, wood (unidentified), paint, metal (unknown), copper (alloy) and mica
Measurements:
overall: 300 mm x 280 mm x 100 mm, 1.37 kg
type:
telephone
credit:
On loan from the Wellcome Trust