Perforating machine for automatic telegraph lines
date: label: date made
content: ca 1870
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Perforating Machine, used in operating automatic telegraph lines. Set in a cast iron frame with hinged wooden cover, fitted with heavy, malleable iron keys, 2 key broken off and stored inside unit. [Western Union's] Mr. Yorke's description is as follows: "This perforator is somewhat larger but in the general form of a typewriter. The keyboard is arranged somewhat like that of a typewriter, in that there are several rows of key levers. The stroke required of the keys to perform the function of perforating and feeding the tape is about 2" and a considerable pressure is required. The operation of the key lever perforates as well as feeds the tape. This perforator was also used in connection with a Chemical Telegraph System between 1870 and 1880. Our information is that it was invented by Mr. Edison." No marks discovered.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Electricity
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: from Western Union Telegraph Company
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: EM.300829
label: catalog number
content: 300829
label: accession number
content: 61649
objectType: label: Object Name
content: Perforating Machine
label: Object Name
content: telegraph perforator components
label: Object Name
content: telegraph perforator
label: Other Terms
content: Perforating Machine; Telegraphy
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 9 1/2 in x 26 in x 14 in; 24.13 cm x 66.04 cm x 35.56 cm