Système D'Arsonval telephone receiver
Datecirca 1880
Inventory Number8028
ClassificationTelephone
Subject
Manufacturer
Branville & Cie
?
c 1880
Maker
Jacques-Arsène d'Arsonval
1851 - 1940
User
Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University
founded 1884
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionswithout cord: 8.6 × 8 × 6.6 cm (3 3/8 × 3 1/8 × 2 5/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionA metal D'Arsonval telephone receiver with a flat, circular front and a beveled back. A loop handle, which is a magnet, spirals from the center of the back of the case and attaches at the side. The handle arrangement was designed to bring both poles of the magnet as near as possible to the iron diaphragm centered below the circular opening in the face of the receiver. The spiral shape of the magnet was selected to create an optimal magnetic field and to subject all parts of the wire to maxium induction.
On the side of the case, opposite the loop attachment point, a length of green, cloth-covered electrical wire extends from a circular opening in the case. A few inches from the end, the wire splits into two, each one tipped by a metal electrical pin plug. A black donut-shaped disk is embedded between the two wires at a point before they separate.
Inscribed around the side of the case, "Sme D'ARSONVAL Bte S.G.D.G. / DE BRANVILLE & Cie"; stamped on back of case, "1057"
On the side of the case, opposite the loop attachment point, a length of green, cloth-covered electrical wire extends from a circular opening in the case. A few inches from the end, the wire splits into two, each one tipped by a metal electrical pin plug. A black donut-shaped disk is embedded between the two wires at a point before they separate.
Inscribed around the side of the case, "Sme D'ARSONVAL Bte S.G.D.G. / DE BRANVILLE & Cie"; stamped on back of case, "1057"
Signedon perimeter: Sme D'ARSONVAL Bte S.G.D.G. / DE BRANVILLE & Cie
Inscribedinscribed around the side of the case: Sme D'ARSONVAL Bte S.G.D.G. / DE BRANVILLE & Cie;
stamped on back of case: 1057
FunctionConversion of sound into electrical signal for input to telephone, conversion of electrical signal from telephone into sound
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
Leeds & Northrup Company
Date: circa 1950
Object number: 1997-1-1095
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1863
Object number: 8000b
Leeds & Northrup Company
Date: circa 1910
Accessories: detachable brass support for telescope and paper scale
Object number: 0268
