Halls Jumbo telephone
Datecirca 1874
Inventory Number8060
ClassificationTelephone
Subject
Maker
Thomas Hall
fl. 1840 - 1875
User
Harvard University Department of Physics
founded 1726
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions36.5 x 17.9 x 25.1 cm (14 3/8 x 7 1/16 x 9 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionA telephone transmitter, stamped "Hall's Jumbo Telephone," which operates on vibrations, similar to the tin-can telephone idea.
The device is made of wood, and has an organic tissue diaphragm, enameled steel, brass and copper. The device is mounted on a rectangular wooden base. A U-shaped stand attached to the base supports a circular diaphragm, made of organic tissue, held in a circular frame. The center of the diaphragm is pierced by a rod, which is connected by a spring from to the base, and has a T shaped tensioner. Speaking into the diaphragm creates a vibration which can be transmitted to another diaphragm, via a taut string, over distances of 150 yards or less.
This device was used at Harvard, after its original purchase, for physics demonstrations.
Stamped on frame, "HALLS [sic] JUMBO TELEPHONE 19 BROMFIELD ST BOSTON MASS."
The device is made of wood, and has an organic tissue diaphragm, enameled steel, brass and copper. The device is mounted on a rectangular wooden base. A U-shaped stand attached to the base supports a circular diaphragm, made of organic tissue, held in a circular frame. The center of the diaphragm is pierced by a rod, which is connected by a spring from to the base, and has a T shaped tensioner. Speaking into the diaphragm creates a vibration which can be transmitted to another diaphragm, via a taut string, over distances of 150 yards or less.
This device was used at Harvard, after its original purchase, for physics demonstrations.
Stamped on frame, "HALLS [sic] JUMBO TELEPHONE 19 BROMFIELD ST BOSTON MASS."
Signedstamped on frame: HALLS [sic] JUMBO TELEPHONE / 19 BROMFIELD ST BOSTON MASS
Curatorial RemarksOld tag: "8060 Phonodeik" Paper label: "MODEL OF PHONODEIK"
FunctionConversion of sound to mechanical vibrations on a taut string for transmission over a distance and conversion of such vibrations into sound.
This instrument was tagged "Phonodeik" by the Physics Department. A phonodeik is an instrument that is used to graphically represent sound waves.
The Halls Jumbo telephone may have been used as the input for such device.
This instrument was tagged "Phonodeik" by the Physics Department. A phonodeik is an instrument that is used to graphically represent sound waves.
The Halls Jumbo telephone may have been used as the input for such device.
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
Rudolph Koenig
Date: circa 1863
Accessories: repeater (item 8000b)
Object number: 8000a
American
Date: mid 19th-late 19th Century
Object number: 1998-1-0452
American Speaking Telephone Company
Date: circa 1878
Object number: 8041
American Association of Physics Teachers
Date: dated 1937
Accessories: black leather case, for storage
Object number: 1998-1-1325
