Marconi Battery Charging Switchboard, circa 1915

01

Artifact Overview

This device uses six light bulbs, wired in series, to step down a 110 volt input--the current from a wall socket--to an output of 6 volts--that of an "A" radio battery. Conceivably, it could also function as a "battery eliminator," which allowed a radio set designed to run on batteries to be powered from a wall socket.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Battery charger

Date Made

circa 1915

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

36.157.38

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Hard Rubber
Chromium
Porcelain (Material)
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)
Copper alloy

Dimensions

Height: 3.25 in
Width: 7.5 in
Length: 13.375 in

Inscriptions

plaque: Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd. No 191257 London
Marconi Battery Charging Switchboard, circa 1915