Telefunken Wireless Radio Receiver with Crystal Detector, 1912-1917

01

Artifact Overview

This radio equipment was used at the German-built Tuckerton Wireless Station in New Jersey. A powerful 820-foot antenna communicated with an identical station in Germany. National security concerns during WWI led to the seizure of Tuckerton by the U.S. government in 1917. It is cited to be the origin of information leaks leading to the RMS Lusitania disaster through U-boat attack.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Radio receiver

Date Made

1912-1917

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

36.810.58

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Bakelite (TM)
Ceramic (Material)
Copper alloy
Iron alloy
Nickel (Metal)

Dimensions

Height: 6 in
Width: 10 in
Length: 13.5 in

Inscriptions

plaque: Type E4 Appt No 1866 D.R.P. No_______ tag: 100 U.S. Navy 18252 Comm, 6-13-44 Telefunken Flat Receiver Type E4 Ser#1866
Telefunken Wireless Radio Receiver with Crystal Detector, 1912-1917