Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation

Made:
1948 in United Kingdom
maker:
British Broadcasting Corporation
Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

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Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Box of large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus
Science Museum Group Collections
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Large-scale demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation.

The BBC used a sapphire needle or stylus to both replay records and record sound by cutting onto a disc. Styli would wear and could be strengthened and repaired by attaching sapphire blanks to steel or duralumin shanks. Synthetic sapphire blanks were supplied as cylinders and cut to shape. Using sapphire styli improved the longevity of each stylus needed for the large amount of music and sound output of BBC.

Specific shapes were required to cut an accurate groove for recording sound. These large scale models were produced as demonstration guides for staff training. The models show the three stages of preparation for reproducing the sapphire stylus type RS/8: a sapphire blank (an acrylic cylinder), the sapphire mounted on the steel shank, and the final stylus after the sapphire is ground to shape using a bevelling tool.

Details

Category:
Television
Collection:
BBC Heritage Collection
Object Number:
2012-5118/59
Materials:
steel (metal) and acrylic
Measurements:
Stylus: 240 mm 23 mm,
type:
representational model

Parts

Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the sapphire mounted in the shank

Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the sapphire mounted in the shank

One of three demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the sapphire mounted in the shank.

Materials:
acrylic and steel (metal)
Object Number:
2012-5118/59/1
type:
representational model
Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the final mounted stylus after bevelling

Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the final mounted stylus after bevelling

One of three demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, the final mounted stylus after bevelling.

Materials:
acrylic , metal (ferrous and steel (metal)
Object Number:
2012-5118/59/2
type:
representational model
Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, a sapphire blank (an acrylic cylinder)

Demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, a sapphire blank (an acrylic cylinder)

One of three demonstration models for sapphire stylus preparation, a sapphire blank (an acrylic cylinder).

Materials:
steel (metal) and acrylic
Object Number:
2012-5118/59/3
type:
representational model