Brown "pony" receiver
Date: circa 1880
Inventory Number: 8027
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Owner: Robert G. Brown ? (ca. 1870 - 1920)
Maker: George Phelps ? (1820 - 1888)
Owner: Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Manufacturer: Western Union Company ? (1851-present)
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
7.3 × 7.3 × 7.4 cm (2 7/8 × 2 7/8 × 2 15/16 in.)
Material:
Description:
A "pony" telephone receiver, consisting of a small cylindrical hard rubber and metal case with a black, steel loop handle on the back and a brown, molded hard rubber earpiece on the front. The case has a chip on the back.
The handle is broken into three pieces, only one of which is still attached to the back of the case with a brad and a metal slot-headed screw. Two metal binding posts are attached to the back, one on either side of the handle. The binding posts have slot-headed adjustment screws.
The telephone earpiece is dish shaped, with a circular opening at the base through which a diaphragm may be seen.
The handle is broken into three pieces, only one of which is still attached to the back of the case with a brad and a metal slot-headed screw. Two metal binding posts are attached to the back, one on either side of the handle. The binding posts have slot-headed adjustment screws.
The telephone earpiece is dish shaped, with a circular opening at the base through which a diaphragm may be seen.
Signedunsigned
FunctionConversion of electrical signals into sound for output by telephone
Curatorial RemarksThis instrument is very likely made by George Phelps, and may have been donated by Robert G. Brown to the collection. A Phelps patent application, dated Aug. 19, 1879, is very similar to the telephone receiver shown here.
(See Primary Sources).
(See Primary Sources).
Primary SourcesGeorge Phelps' patent application, dated Aug. 19, 1879, is very similar to the telephone receiver shown here.
See Patent
here.
See Patent
here.
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University