Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone microphone

Made:
1923 in Chelmsford
maker:
Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company Limited
Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone

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

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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 

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 

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

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Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Marconi-Sykes Magnetophone microphone, complete with coil and spare coil, 1923. Serial No 286736. Label missing, but likely to be J2516. Very early moving coil microphone. DC energised. Uses the large flat coil as the diaphragm. Used at Savoy Hill, mounted in the 'Meat Safe' microphone stand.

Within six months of the start of broadcasting by the BBC, this new, improved microphone was introduced. It was used for the famous 1924 outside broadcasts of the song of a nightingale. It was so sensitive that sounds such as buzzing insects were picked up for the first time.

Details

Category:
Television
Collection:
BBC Heritage Collection
Object Number:
2012-5118/392
Materials:
steel (metal), copper (metal), metal (unknown), cotton (textile) and paint
Measurements:
overall: 125 mm x 125 mm x 150 mm, 11.5 kg
type:
microphone