Semi-automatic Telegraph Key
date: label: date made
content: ca 1915
name: label: maker
content: Fluharty, William G.
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: This semi-automatic telegraph key was designed by William G. Fluharty around 1915. Fluharty worked for Western Union whose operators were prime users for these semi-automatic keys.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. A semi-automatic telegraph key allows an operator to send messages at a much faster rate than with an ordinary key. The key automatically produces rapid morse code dots by using a spring or weighted pendulum to quickly make and break contact in the electrical circuit. The operator still makes the dashes manually.
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.331749
label: accession number
content: 294351
label: catalog number
content: 331749
label: collector/donor number
content: 72-06
objectType: label: Object Name
content: bug
label: Object Name
content: semi-automatic key
label: Object Name
content: telegraph key
physicalDescription: 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: 5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in x 8 3/4 in; 13.97 cm x 8.89 cm x 22.225 cm