solid receiver
Datecirca 1900
Inventory Number8076
ClassificationTelephone
Subject
Maker
William J. Murdock Company
?
1896 - 1985
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions6.3 × 7.6 × 3.1 cm (2 1/2 × 3 × 1 1/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionA telephone receiver known as a "watchcase" style receiver, because of its compact shape. The device consists of a short cylindrical case, made of black-painted steel, topped by a hard-rubber screw-on receiver with a molded, dish-shaped earpiece. The earpiece has a circular opening in the base of the dish, through which a diaphragm may be seen. A piece of the lower edge of the earpiece is missing, and there is a chip of paint missing from the rounded edge.
The case has a flat, circular hook attached to the side.
A pair of copper electrical wires, covered in frayed light tan fabric, attach to the side of the case opposite the circular hook.
On the back of the case is inscribed, "SOLID / PATENTED AUG. 14. 1900." This may indicate that the receiver was produced by a Massachuesetts manufacturer, William J. Murdock, who introduced a "solid" receiver in 1901.
The case has a flat, circular hook attached to the side.
A pair of copper electrical wires, covered in frayed light tan fabric, attach to the side of the case opposite the circular hook.
On the back of the case is inscribed, "SOLID / PATENTED AUG. 14. 1900." This may indicate that the receiver was produced by a Massachuesetts manufacturer, William J. Murdock, who introduced a "solid" receiver in 1901.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedinscribed: SOLID / PATENTED AUG. 14. 1900
FunctionConversion of electrical impulses into sound for output by telephone
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
Historical AttributesOld tag: "DPCR 8076"
William J. Murdock Company
Date: 1910-1950
Object number: RS0163
S. H. Couch Company
Date: circa 1905
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Object number: 8092b
Fritz Köhler
Date: circa 1892
Accessories: Ivory signaling rattle
Object number: 8098a