telegraph key (sending and receiving)
Date: circa 1901
Inventory Number: 1990-1-0001
Classification: Telegraph Key
Subject:
Maker: American
Maker: Frank W. Morse Company (wire clip?) (ca. 1880 - 1930)
User: Fitchburg Railroad (1840 - 1919)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
6.5 × 18.3 × 15 cm (2 9/16 × 7 3/16 × 5 7/8 in.)
box: 10.2 × 31.1 × 19.7 cm (4 × 12 1/4 × 7 3/4 in.)
Accessories: watchcase receiver
DescriptionAn integrated brass telegraphic sending key and receiving sounder, with an earpiece and electrical wire connectors, featuring decorative gold striping.
The sending key and sounder are mounted perpendicular to one another on a rectangular wooden board.
The sounder consists of a spring-action brass arm mounted between a pair of electrical coils. The arm is attached to a U-shaped bracket at one end by a pivot point. The other end of the arm is positioned over a brass bracket, which has a pair of brass adjustment screws with knurled-edge knobs.
The telegraph key is mounted on an oval base with two support arms. The key pivots on a rod between the arms. The key crosspiece has a spring-action and a pair of brass adjustment screws with knurled-edge knobs. There is shorting lever with a rounded knob along the side of the key.
The device has a "watchcase" type earpiece connected to a pair of cloth-covered electrical cords, bound together along the length of the cord and separated at each end. One end separates into a rectangular alligator clip on one branch and a metal post on the other. These ends attach to a pair of binding posts with knurled edge adjustment screws, mounted along one side of the base.
The other end separates into two connection points to the earpiece.
The sending key and sounder are mounted perpendicular to one another on a rectangular wooden board.
The sounder consists of a spring-action brass arm mounted between a pair of electrical coils. The arm is attached to a U-shaped bracket at one end by a pivot point. The other end of the arm is positioned over a brass bracket, which has a pair of brass adjustment screws with knurled-edge knobs.
The telegraph key is mounted on an oval base with two support arms. The key pivots on a rod between the arms. The key crosspiece has a spring-action and a pair of brass adjustment screws with knurled-edge knobs. There is shorting lever with a rounded knob along the side of the key.
The device has a "watchcase" type earpiece connected to a pair of cloth-covered electrical cords, bound together along the length of the cord and separated at each end. One end separates into a rectangular alligator clip on one branch and a metal post on the other. These ends attach to a pair of binding posts with knurled edge adjustment screws, mounted along one side of the base.
The other end separates into two connection points to the earpiece.
Signedon electrical wire clip: MORSE / EUREKA / TRADE MARK
FunctionIntegrated sending and receiving key for transmission of telegraph signals.
Historical AttributesFrom the train station on the Boston Fitchburg line at Waverly Square.
Curatorial RemarksMorse - Eureka is probably maker of the wire clip, not the entire device.
ProvenanceGiven by Tom Arena (Waltham) on 1/1/90 in memory of his grandfather Joseph Uberti.