Phelps American pony receiver
Date: circa 1881
Inventory Number: 8024a
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Maker: George Phelps (1820 - 1888)
Owner: Jefferson Physical Laboratory, Harvard University (founded 1884)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
20.2 × 16.4 × 12.1 cm (7 15/16 × 6 7/16 × 4 3/4 in.)
earpiece: diam 5.6 cm (2 3/16 in.)
Material:
Description:
An American "pony" telephone receiver, made by prolific Western Union engineer and inventor George Phelps of Brooklyn, New York.
The device consists of a retangular wooden box with dovetailed joins and a hinged door in the front. The oblong, key-hole shaped receiver transmitter hangs from a curved bracket on the front of the box door. An electrical cord, covered in twined red and white insulation, connects the bottom of the receiver through a circular opening in the box door.
The device is inscribed, "G.M. Phelps - Brooklyn, N.Y."
The device consists of a retangular wooden box with dovetailed joins and a hinged door in the front. The oblong, key-hole shaped receiver transmitter hangs from a curved bracket on the front of the box door. An electrical cord, covered in twined red and white insulation, connects the bottom of the receiver through a circular opening in the box door.
The device is inscribed, "G.M. Phelps - Brooklyn, N.Y."
Signedinscribed: G.M. Phelps - Brooklyn, N.Y.
FunctionConversion of electrical signals into sound for output by telephone
Curatorial RemarksOld tag: "8024 Phelps Pony"
ProvenanceJefferson Laboratory, Physics Department, Harvard University
Published ReferencesThis instrument is described in:
Thomas G. Hedberg, "Catalogue: Telephones, Phonographs and Related Instruments in The Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard University." William Andrewes, Project Director (unpublished manuscript, President and Fellows of Harvard College and Thomas G. Hedberg, 1989. Fifth Draft), p. 71.
