Homemade Single-Throw Antenna Switch with Lightning Arrester, circa 1900

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Artifact Overview

An antenna switch allows a radio receiver or transmitter to be connected to more than one antenna. An anchor gap acts like a modern-day surge protector to protect equipment from electrical disturbances. This homemade switch with anchor gap was used in the laboratory of Amos E. Dolbear, a physicist and inventor in the fields of wireless and telephone communication.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Switch

Date Made

circa 1900

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

37.572.10

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Ceramic (Material)
Hard Rubber
Steel (Alloy)

Dimensions

Height: 4.75 in
Width: 3 in
Length: 7 in

Inscriptions

handwritten: 18682