Semi-automatic Telegraph Key
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. A semi-automatic telegraph key like this one allows an operator to send land-line and wireless telegraph messages at a much faster rate than with an ordinary key. The key automatically produces rapid morse code dots by using a weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator still makes the dashes manually. This key was used by Postal Telegraph operator Bryant W. Fields in the early 1910s.
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 Western Union Corporation
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: EM.331628
label: accession number
content: 294351
label: catalog number
content: 331628
label: collector/donor number
content: 72-21
objectType: label: Object Name
content: semi-automatic key
label: Object Name
content: sending key
label: Object Name
content: telegraph key
label: Other Terms
content: telegraph key; Telegraphy
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: iron (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: cloth (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 3 in x 2 1/2 in x 7 1/2 in; 7.62 cm x 6.35 cm x 19.05 cm