Western Union Main Line Sounder Housed in Portable Resonator, circa 1925

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Artifact Overview

This telegraph sounder creates audible tones that correspond to the signals of Morse code from an electrical telegraph. A metal arm influenced by an electromagnet makes clicking and clacking noises as the current is switched on and off. These sounds are translated into the dots and dashes of code. A wooden box amplifies the sound even further for the operator.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telegraph sounder

Date Made

circa 1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

96.0.268.30

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Felt (Textile)
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant Material)

Dimensions

Height: 15.5 in
Width: 5.5 in
Length: 7 in

Inscriptions

plaque: W.U. TEL. CO. MAIN LINE SOUNDER 15B 120-OHM plaque: W.U. TEL. CO. RESONATOR HOOD [illegible]ed BY KRAMER
Western Union Main Line Sounder Housed in Portable Resonator, circa 1925