unknown telephone piece
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0457a
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Owner: Harvard University (founded 1636)
Maker: American ?
Cultural Region:
Dimensions:
9.5 × 19.2 × 3.1 cm (3 3/4 × 7 9/16 × 1 1/4 in.)
Accessories: 1998-1-0457b: a similar piece possibly from the same instrument
Description:
A piece of a larger section of telephone equipment, consisting of a pair of metal switchhooks mounted on opposite sides of a pair of wooden panels.
A mechanism between the panels cannot be clearly seen. The switchhooks protrude from the mechanism on either side the panels, which have a semicircular section cut out along one edge.
The panel’s front and sides are painted in black enamel; the back is unpainted, and has an inscription in pencil, "19." The back panel is curved out on the sides around a pair of holes for mounting screws. The front panel has a pair of dish-shaped surrounds, each with a button in the center which may engage/disengage part of the mechanism, or interrupt a circuit. Four slot-headed screws hold the panels together.
A mechanism between the panels cannot be clearly seen. The switchhooks protrude from the mechanism on either side the panels, which have a semicircular section cut out along one edge.
The panel’s front and sides are painted in black enamel; the back is unpainted, and has an inscription in pencil, "19." The back panel is curved out on the sides around a pair of holes for mounting screws. The front panel has a pair of dish-shaped surrounds, each with a button in the center which may engage/disengage part of the mechanism, or interrupt a circuit. Four slot-headed screws hold the panels together.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedinscribed in pencil on back: 19
FunctionTelephone communication. Possibly some sort of telephone hook or switch. Exact function unknown.
