unknown mechanical telephones
Date: late 19th-early 20th Century
Inventory Number: 8101
Classification: Telephone
Dimensions:each: 5.5 × 9.7 × 9.7 cm (2 3/16 × 3 13/16 × 3 13/16 in.)
DescriptionA pair of early or perhaps demonstration mechanical telephone devices, apparently of a string and can type design, though the origin and purpose are unknown. The design appears to be able to transmit sounds over short distances by means of the vibration of a string connecting the two units.
Each unit is made of iron, painted black, with a hollow horn-shaped mouth or earpiece attached to a large, flat disk-shaped base. The lip of the mouthpiece/earpiece is painted with a band of gold. The edge of each base is ringed with attachment holes, some of which have screws in them.
The underside of each base has a flat diaphragm, possibly made of mica, pierced in the center by a metal tab. The tabs, which appear moveable, each have a hole in the center of the end to which a length of twisted wire is attached. The wires are formed into hooks at the ends, and one wire has a length of tan string attached. The diaphragms are each cushioned by a ring of light material topped by a ring of metal. The metal rings have attachment holes, similar to those on the edges of the mouthpiece/earpiece.
Each unit is stamped, "21-41."