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Alexander Graham Bell Experimental Telephone

National Museum of American History

Object Details

Bell, Alexander G.
Description
Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated several experimental telephones at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. This unit features a single electro-magnet and could be used both as transmitter and receiver. Bell approached the problem of transmitting speech differently from other telephone inventors like Elisha Gray and Thomas Edison. They were mostly experienced telegraphers trying to make a better telegraph. Bell's study of hearing and speech more strongly influenced his work.
1876
ID Number
EM.252599
accession number
49064
catalog number
252599
patent number
174465
Object Name
experimental telephone
telephone
Physical Description
wood (base material)
brass (posts material)
tin (mouthpiece material)
brass (brackets material)
Measurements
overall: 6 1/2 in x 5 in x 11 in; 16.51 cm x 12.7 cm x 27.94 cm
Related Publication
Sewer, Andy; Allison, David; Liebhold, Peter; Davis, Nancy; Franz, Kathleen G.. American Enterprise: A History of Business in America
See more items in
Work and Industry: Electricity
Communications
Computers & Business Machines
American Enterprise
Artifact Walls exhibit
Exhibition
American Enterprise
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_689864
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-1e5f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Related Content

  • Electricity and Magnetism

    Office of the Chief Information Officer
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