Potbelly Desk Stand Telephone with Strowger Switch, circa 1890

01

Artifact Overview

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

circa 1890

Creator Notes

Telephone switch designed by Almon B. Strowger. Manufactured by Automatic Electric Company and Kellogg Switchboard and Supply Company, both of Chicago, Illinois

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.0.14.42

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Nickel (Metal)
Brass (Alloy)
Bakelite (TM)
Plastic

Technique

Plating (Metal coating)

Color

Black (Color)

Inscriptions

On transmitter face: AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CO. / CHICAGO, ILL On dial: TO CALL / LONG DISTANCE / DIAL 110 / OPERATOR Plate in center of dial: AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COMPANY / CHICAGO, U.S.A. / PATENTED Cutout on switch hook: A On receiver: KELLOGG S. & S. CO. / CHICAGO, U.S.A.
02

Related Content

  • 1917 Curtiss JN-4D "Canuck" Biplane
    Set

    Featured on The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation: Season 7

    • 26 Artifacts
    The Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" was the U.S. Army's primary training aircraft in the World War I era. After the war, surplus Jennys formed the core of America's barnstorming fleet. The JN-4D variation employed a control stick rather than the wheel used in the standard version. The JN-4D originally was built for the Canadian market, explaining its "Canuck" nickname.