telephone combination handset (receiver and earpiece)
Date: 1880
Inventory Number: 8029
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Maker: Société Générale des Téléphones (1880 - 1889)
Inventor: Robert G. Brown (ca. 1870 - 1920)
Owner: Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
27.5 × 7.7 × 7.9 cm (10 13/16 × 3 1/16 × 3 1/8 in.)
Material:
DescriptionA combination telephone handset, combining both transmitter and receiver. This is an example of a type used in France, in the central switching office of Paris Bell, and was designed by Robert G. Brown. Brown's 1880 U.S. patent claims the novel arrangement of a bar magnet/handle holding a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is mounted on a pivot, which is able to slide to different positions along the bar handle, and is therefore adjustable in accordance with the needs of the telephone user.
The handle is slightly curved metal bar, which is a magnet. The earphone, which is attached to the handle by three metal screws, is bell-shaped, made of molded, dark brown gutta percha attached to a short cylindrical housing. On the back of the earphone is a pair of metal binding posts, mounted in either side of the handle. On the back of the handle, on the end nearest the mouthpiece, is a short metal bar attached to the handle with two screws. On the front of the handle is a rectangular brass plaque, attached with two screws. Engraved on the plaque, "Brevet no. 224.138 / R.G. BROWN / 3 Février 1880."
The mouthpiece/transmitter assembly is attached to the handle by a movable metal pivot. The mouthpiece is of molded gutta percha, attached to cylindrical nickel housing. The housing is held in place by five screws around the edge of the nickel housing. The device uses an Edison carbon-button transmitter.
The handle is slightly curved metal bar, which is a magnet. The earphone, which is attached to the handle by three metal screws, is bell-shaped, made of molded, dark brown gutta percha attached to a short cylindrical housing. On the back of the earphone is a pair of metal binding posts, mounted in either side of the handle. On the back of the handle, on the end nearest the mouthpiece, is a short metal bar attached to the handle with two screws. On the front of the handle is a rectangular brass plaque, attached with two screws. Engraved on the plaque, "Brevet no. 224.138 / R.G. BROWN / 3 Février 1880."
The mouthpiece/transmitter assembly is attached to the handle by a movable metal pivot. The mouthpiece is of molded gutta percha, attached to cylindrical nickel housing. The housing is held in place by five screws around the edge of the nickel housing. The device uses an Edison carbon-button transmitter.
Signedsigned on the handle: Brevet no. 224.138 / R.G. BROWN / 3 Février 1880
Inscribedsigned on the handle: Brevet no. 224.138 / R.G. BROWN / 3 Février 1880;
FunctionConversion of sound into electrical signal for input to telephone, conversion of electrical signal from telephone into sound
Curatorial Remarksold tag: Brown's Central Switch for Continuative telephone
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
Published ReferencesThis instrument is described in:
Thomas G. Hedberg, "Catalogue: Telephones, Phonographs and Related Instruments in The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University." William Andrewes, Project Director (unpublished manuscript, President and Fellows of Harvard College and Thomas G. Hedberg, 1989. Fifth Draft), pp. 60-61.
See also:
U.S. Patent No. 224,138, patented Feb. 3, 1880 by R.G. Brown, online
here.