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Receiver - Experimental Telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, 1876
Reg. No: ST 035633
- Summary:
- Harmonic telegraph receiver, used by Alexander Graham Bell for some of his earliest telephone experiments, circa July 1876, in Boston. Used originally with the ear pressed firmly against the reed (damped) for telephone reception. It was used with a transmitter.
The receiver in Alexander Graham Bell's first successful telephone experiment on 10 March 1876 was similar to this instrument.
It could respond to different harmonies depending on the length of the metal reed. The metal reed resonated at a certain frequency, similar to a tuning fork.
Bell initially developed the harmonic receiver for his experiments in telegraphy, in which he was investigating the possibility of sending multiple messages at the same time, on different frequencies. Hearing the sounds it produced, he realised it might be possible to transmit the human voice. - Description:
- Varnished wooden base, brass terminals, single pole electromagnet wound with green silk- covered wire on black bobbin, with cylindrical ebonite cover. Electromagnet resistance 3 ohms. In wooden box.
- Acquisition Information:
- Loan & Subsequent Donation from Mr Charles Moody
| Discipline: | Technology |
| Dimensions: | 950 mm (Height), 170 mm (Width), 105 mm (Length) |
| Dimension Comment: | See child records |
More information
| Tagged with: | telephone components, telephones |
| Themes this item is part of: | Information & Communication Collection |
| Primary Classification: | COMMUNICATIONS |
| Secondary Classification: | Telephony |
| Tertiary Classification: | telephones |
| Past Owner: | Mr Edward Symonds, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Thomas Watson probably associated with manufacture |
| User: | Mr Alexander Bell, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, 1876 Thomas Watson probably associated with manufacture |
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