Wall Magneto Telephone Set, circa 1892

01

Artifact Overview

Many early telephones used magnetos: hand-cranked generators that used magnets to produce AC electrical current. A caller turned the handle located on the side of the phone, and the current from the magneto would ring bells to alert the operator – or others on a party line – that someone was trying to place a call.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

1890-1900

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

41.140.6

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Material

Oak (Wood)
Metal

Color

Brown (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 78 in
Width: 12 in
Length: 15.25 in

Inscriptions

on the front of the telephone below the bells: 1928078 / WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY / CHICAGO & NEW YORK on the side of phone box: PATENTED / APR. 18 1878 / (...) / DECEMBER. 29. 1884 / OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR / MADE FOR THE AMERICAN / BELL TELEPHONE CO. AND LICENSED TO BE USED ONLY WITH IT'S TELEPHONES insribed on the front inside of the telephone: PATENTED APR. 18 1878 (...) DEC 23 1894 / OTHER PATENTS APPLIED FOR / MADE FOR THE AMERICAN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY Co. AND LICENSED TO BE USED ONLY WITH ITS TELEPHONES. on inductive transmitter: ABTC on either side of telephone written in red: 216 on the side of the telephone speaker: PATENTED FEB. 23 1892
Wall Magneto Telephone Set, circa 1892