Dunand's telephone receiver
Date: circa 1878
Inventory Number: 8008
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Maker: A. Dunand (c. 1881)
Owner: Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
without cord: 16.2 × 8.2 × 8.2 cm (6 3/8 × 3 1/4 × 3 1/4 in.)
Material:
Description:
A Dunand telephone receiver, a European implementation of a Bell design in a handheld telephone receiver of a style known as a "butterstamp" type. The receiver is painted black and made of hard rubber. The handle has a rounded ball-shaped end connected to a cylinder which narrows and steps down at the receiver end. The underside of the earpiece is carved with a repeating flower and leaf design with stylized, double strands; the top of the earpiece has a carved, repeating floral and arch design. The ear cup is a concave, smoothly tapered cone with a round opening at the apex. The inner opening is covered by a green disk or diaphragm.
The device uses a carbon transmitter.
The end of the handle has a length of twisted, partly frayed, cloth covered electrical wire attached.
The handle is inscribed along the side, "Rose 14 / cupnxa."
The device uses a carbon transmitter.
The end of the handle has a length of twisted, partly frayed, cloth covered electrical wire attached.
The handle is inscribed along the side, "Rose 14 / cupnxa."
Signedunsigned
Inscribedinscribed: Rose 14 / cupnxa
FunctionConversion of electric signals into sound for output by telephone
Historical AttributesOld tag: "Rose 14 No 5 JPL" reverse "No 5 [scratched through] 4" Old tag: "Dunand TELEPHONE RECEIVER 8008"
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 William Andrewes, Project Director (unpublished manuscript, President and Fellows of Harvard College and Thomas G. Hedberg, 1989.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. 50-51.