Name/Title
Telegraph ComponentsEntry/Object ID
2010.0083.0005Description
Telegraph key board with three other parts. The keyboard is mounted on wooden board 6"x10", has brass attached parts. An oval brass plate on board says, "May 30-70 D.W. Putt Co., Wellsville, Ohio." This telegraph key trainer is an early piece of early communications history. These mechanical practice sets were uniquely designed to help aspiring operators learn Morse code in the 19th century. In this era, many mechanical practice sets were designed to produce the "click" and feel of a functional land-line telegraph without requiring a bulky, expensive battery or sounder setup.
The other parts include two smaller pieces and one 5.5"x3" metal base with swinging arm on which is attached a wedge shaped open box, known as a resonator. The larger of the 2 smaller pieces is the relay. The relay amplifies signals from long distances. The smaller piece is the sounder. The donor says he believe his father rescued this equipment from the Ripon Northwestern Railroad Station when it was torn down in 1990.
See donor file for more information.Acquisition
Accession
2010.0083Source or Donor
Michael HothAcquisition Method
GiftLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Key, TelegraphNomenclature Primary Object Term
TelegraphNomenclature Sub-Class
Telecommunication DevicesNomenclature Class
Telecommunication T&ENomenclature Category
Category 06: Tools & Equipment for CommunicationSearch Terms
Telecommunication T&E, Key, Telegraph, Northwestern, railroad
