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"buzzerphone" wire telegraph

  • Images (7)

"buzzerphone" wire telegraph

Date: 1916-1925
Inventory Number: RS0151
Classification: Telegraph
Subject:
communications, electronics, telegraphy, military, telephony,
Maker: Western Electric Company (1881 - 1995)
Manufacturer: Le Matériel Téléphonique (1911 - 1950s)
User: Cruft Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1914)
Cultural Region:
United States, France,
Place of Origin:
Paris,
City of Use:
Cambridge,
Dimensions:
19 x 27 x 14.5 cm (7 1/2 x 10 5/8 x 5 11/16 in.)
Material:
wood, metal, insulating material,
Description:
Rectangular wooden box with rounded corners. Inside silver top panel with black capped switches, 2 electrical connectors and telegraph key. Leather cord with head receiver attached. Top panel hinged, diagram inside lid.

Signedplate on top panel: WESTERN ELECTRIC

plate on top panel: LE MATERIÉL TÉLÉPHONIQUE / SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME / Ancienne Maison G. ABOILARD & Cie / 46, AVENUE DE BRETEUIL - PARIS
FunctionThe buzzerphone is a wire telegraph developed during World War I designed to avoid message interception by the enemy.

The wire transmitter / receiver (one side of the line may use ground) uses very low direct current, about 60 microamps, avoiding interception by either induction (for being DC) or current leakage (for using very small current).

At the receiving unit, a "howler", an actual telephone receiver and transmitter, modulates the signal so it can be heard in the receiving operator's earpiece. The howler in the sending operator's unit provides feedback (sidetone) to him.

The buzzerphone could also be used as a telephone, albeit less securely.

A good description of the advantages of this instrument is found in the Report of the Chief Signal Officer (to the U.S. Secretary of War), 1919, available on Google Books here.

Curatorial RemarksIdentical to RS0150.
ProvenanceAccording to a tag, it was used at the Cruft Laboratory, Harvard University.

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