Maiche receiver
Datecirca 1884
Inventory Number8034
ClassificationTelephone
Subject
Maker
L. Lenczewski et Cie.
ca. 1880 - 1910
Maker
Louis Maiche
ca. 1880 - 1910
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionswithout cord: 15.4 × 6.3 × 6.3 cm (6 1/16 × 2 1/2 × 2 1/2 in.)
Material
DescriptionA telephone receiver designed by L. Lenczewski et Cie and M. Louis Maiche, known as a "butterstamp" style for its shape. Device consists of a wooden handle, lacquered in shiny black, with a movable ring mounted at the handle end. The receiver end has a bell-shaped metal housing, possibly of nickel-plated brass. The housing contains a bar magnet, held in tension by a brass nut, an induction coil and steel diaphragm.
Device has a length of electrical cord, consisting of a pair of wires bound together and covered in aqua-colored cloth insulation, separated at the end into two separate wires, each tipped with a metal electrical pin plug.
The receiver was designed to work with a microphonic transmitter made of a pine diaphragm over twelve carbon rods. The transmitter was designed to hold a pair of receivers on switchooks on either side of the device.
Maiche went on to invent a wireless telephone, c. 1893.
Receiver is signed, "L. LENCZEWSKI & CIE PARIS 876 SME MAICHE BTÉ S.G.D.G."; terminals at end of wire marked, "BREVETE S.G.D.G."; marked on reverse side, "H. GEOFFROY"
Device has a length of electrical cord, consisting of a pair of wires bound together and covered in aqua-colored cloth insulation, separated at the end into two separate wires, each tipped with a metal electrical pin plug.
The receiver was designed to work with a microphonic transmitter made of a pine diaphragm over twelve carbon rods. The transmitter was designed to hold a pair of receivers on switchooks on either side of the device.
Maiche went on to invent a wireless telephone, c. 1893.
Receiver is signed, "L. LENCZEWSKI & CIE PARIS 876 SME MAICHE BTÉ S.G.D.G."; terminals at end of wire marked, "BREVETE S.G.D.G."; marked on reverse side, "H. GEOFFROY"
Signedsigned: L. LENCZEWSKI & CIE PARIS 876 SME MAICHE BTÉ S.G.D.G.
Inscribedterminals at end of wire marked: BREVETE S.G.D.G.;
marked reverse side: H. GEOFFROY
Curatorial RemarksOld tag: "MAICHE RECEIVER Part of Telephone Collection from Jeff 1952 8034" Reverse: "L. Lenczewskie & Cie. Paris SME MAICHE BTE S.G.D.G" Old tag: "8" Reverse: "Not adjusted"
FunctionConversion of electrical signals into sound for output by telephone
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
William J. Murdock Company
Date: 1910-1950
Object number: RS0163
American Speaking Telephone Company
Date: circa 1878
Object number: 8041
Société Générale des Téléphones
Date: 1880
Object number: 8029