Holmes Burglar Alarm and Reproduction Switchboard, circa 1870 -1930

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Artifact Overview

Artifact Details

Artifact

Burglar alarm

Date Made

1877-1930

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

36.147.2

Credit

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

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Cardboard
Ivory (Tooth component)
Steel (Alloy)
Textile
Wood (Plant material)

Dimensions

Height: 7.5 in (burglar alarm)
Width: 5 in (burglar alarm)
Length: 8.75 in (burglar alarm)
Height: 1.75 in (switchboard)
Width: 5 in (switchboard)
Length: 36 in (switchboard)

Inscriptions

burglar alarm: E. Holmes Burglar Alarm Telegraph base, stamped: Patented June 21, 1853 Reissued: June 21, 1867. switchboard, hand-lettered: Model of the First Telephone Exchange Switchboard Original Owned by E.T. Holmes Designed and Used by him in the First Telephone Exchange Boston 1877 partial labels: Exchange ____ ____ Williams Jr. Leather Bank Brewster Bassett & Co. Leather Bank
Holmes Burglar Alarm and Reproduction Switchboard, circa 1870 -1930