Vibroplex Telegraph Key
date: label: date made
content: ca 1919
name: label: maker
content: Vibroplex Company, Inc.
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Semi-automatic keys like this "Vibroplex" automatically produced rapid morse code dots by using a weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator would make the dashes manually but could send much faster than with an ordinary key. This key was used by Margaret M. A. Donahue (1892-1984), a Western Union operator.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Margaret Donahue received her radio license 17 February 1913. She attained national attention in 1917 as the "first woman in the United States to get a first-class radio operator's license," when she volunteered her services as the country entered World War I.
label: Description (Brief)
content: The key is housed in its original carrying case. Operators often owned their own keys and would adjust the settings to fit their personal preference. They would take the key with them after their shift. The box is wood with a paper covering, "18" penciled inside lid. Printed on key's label: "Trade "Vibroplex" Mark No. 72839 / U.S.Patents No.767,303 No.812,183 No.842,154 No.1,042,457 No.1,043,449 No.1,260,008 / The Vibroplex Company, Inc. 253 Broadway, New York". Plug stamped "W.U.Tel.Co." Faded decorative painted marks on base.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Electricity
label: See more items in
content: Telegraph Keys
label: See more items in
content: Communications
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: from Homer E. Johnson
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1979.1016.01
label: accession number
content: 1979.1016
label: catalog number
content: 1979.1016.01
objectType: label: Object Name
content: sending key
label: Object Name
content: telegraph key
label: Other Terms
content: telegraph key; Telegraph
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: slate (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: cloth (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: rubber (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: key: 9 cm x 9 cm x 20 cm; 3 9/16 in x 3 9/16 in x 7 7/8 in
label: Measurements
content: box: 12 cm x 11 cm x 23.5 cm; 4 3/4 in x 4 5/16 in x 9 1/4 in