Köhler watchcase receiver
Datecirca 1892
Inventory Number8098a
ClassificationTelephone
Subject
Maker
Fritz Köhler
fl. 1897 - 1940
User
Theodore William Richards
?
1868 - 1928
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionswithout cord: 5.9 × 5.9 × 3.5 cm (2 5/16 × 2 5/16 × 1 3/8 in.)
Material
AccessoriesIvory signaling rattle
DescriptionA telephone receiver known as a "watchcase" style for its compact shape. The receiver is a short, nickel-plated steel cylinder. One end of the cylinder is entirely covered by a moulded dish-shaped earpiece with a circular opening in the base of the dish. Through the opening a diaphragm can be seen.
The other end of the cylinder is metal, with an inscription and company name inscribed in the center, below a metal brad flush with the end plate. A hard rubber bumper ring, scored along its length, runs around the edge of the end, forming a decorative raised lip.
Three lengths of brown cloth-covered cords emerge from an opening on the side of the cylinder, held together by an ivory collar. Two are electrical cords, which each terminate in a metal-tipped pin plug. One is a cloth cord which secures an ivory signaling rattle to the receiver. The rattle has a handle with a small knob at one end and a slightly larger knob at the other end, used to knock on the diaphragm to signal the other party that a telephone connection is desired.
The side of the receiver cylinder has a swatch of tan paint with the letters, "CARNEGIE / GC 788C" printed on it in black.
In the center of the back of the case is stamped, "FRITZ KÖHLER LEIPZIG ÑGERMANYÑ, / GERMANY," and a manufacturer's mark of an entwined letter design.
The other end of the cylinder is metal, with an inscription and company name inscribed in the center, below a metal brad flush with the end plate. A hard rubber bumper ring, scored along its length, runs around the edge of the end, forming a decorative raised lip.
Three lengths of brown cloth-covered cords emerge from an opening on the side of the cylinder, held together by an ivory collar. Two are electrical cords, which each terminate in a metal-tipped pin plug. One is a cloth cord which secures an ivory signaling rattle to the receiver. The rattle has a handle with a small knob at one end and a slightly larger knob at the other end, used to knock on the diaphragm to signal the other party that a telephone connection is desired.
The side of the receiver cylinder has a swatch of tan paint with the letters, "CARNEGIE / GC 788C" printed on it in black.
In the center of the back of the case is stamped, "FRITZ KÖHLER LEIPZIG ÑGERMANYÑ, / GERMANY," and a manufacturer's mark of an entwined letter design.
Signedengraved: FRITZ KÖHLER / LEIPZIG / GERMANY
Inscribedpainted on side: CARNEGIE / GC 788C;
Curatorial RemarksOld tag: "from Chem 1953 W T Richards 8098a"
Reverse: "marked: Fritz Kohler Leipzig Germany" Manufactured for export to an English-speaking country?
FunctionConversion of electrical impulses into sound for output by telephone; ivory rattle used to bang against diaphragm to signal operator
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University.
An old tag indicates that this receiver came from the Chemistry Department and may be related to Theodore William Richards.
Fritz Köhler
Date: circa 1892
Accessories: ivory signaling rattle
Object number: 8098b
Fritz Köhler
Date: circa 1892
Accessories: Ivory signaling rattle
Object number: 8098c
L. M. Ericsson
Date: circa 1879
Accessories: Ivory signaling rattle
Object number: 8014c
S. H. Couch Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: telephone wall unit
Object number: 8092b
William J. Murdock Company
Date: 1910-1950
Object number: RS0163
See also/See also
