De Forest Singing Arc Type Radiophone Transmitter, 1907

01

Artifact Overview

Lee de Forest was a telecommunications inventor, responsible for the Audion vacuum tube. In 1907, his "radiophone" allowed phonograph music and human voice to broadcast wirelessly. The device used a "singing arc" to generate radio carrier signals. The US Navy purchased six radiotelephones for installation on the Great White Fleet. This is one of the earliest radiotelephones made by de Forest.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Radiophone

Date Made

1907

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

40.581.6

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Iron alloy
Nickel (Metal)
Rubber (Material)
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Height: 17.5 in
Width: 12.5 in
Length: 17 in

Inscriptions

top, plaque: De Forest Radio-Telephone System Pats. No. 836015, 803199, 803513, 850917 and Other Patents No. D-60 The Radio-Telephone Co. New York, U.S.A. top, plaque: Transmitter Radio Telephone Swinging Arc Type 1907
De Forest Singing Arc Type Radiophone Transmitter, 1907