Double-sided dummy single-needle telegraph used for training operators, 1870-1930

Made:
1870-1930 in United Kingdom
maker:
General Post Office
Double-sided dummy single-needle telegraph used for training

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Double-sided dummy single-needle telegraph used for training
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Double-sided dummy single-needle telegraph used for training operators, made by the General Post Office, British, 1870-1930.

After 1870, when the British telegraph companies were nationalised, needle telegraphs in Britain were standardised on the Morse code, where a movement of the needle to the left indicated a dot, and, to the right, a dash. This simple instrument was developed to train and test operators in the code and uses simple mechanical linkages to work the needles. The student operator would sit on one side of the instrument, while the teacher would sit on the other.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
2004-141
Materials:
wood (unidentified), paper (fibre product), metal (unknown) and copper (alloy)
Measurements:
overall: 242 mm x 210 mm x 195 mm, 1.04kg
type:
telegraph
credit:
Donated by BT Heritage and Archives