Object Details
- Mecograph Company
- Description (Brief)
- Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The Mecograph Company created a right-angle semi-automatic telegraph key around 1906. They competed with Horace Martin's Vibroplex Company until Martin purchased Mecograph in 1914. the design is also referred to as a "side-swiper." A semi-automatic key repeated the Morse code dots rapidly, much like holding down a key on a keyboard for repeated letters. The operator still keyed the dashes but could work much faster.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- from Western Union Corporation
- ID Number
- EM.332297
- accession number
- 294351
- collector/donor number
- 72-01
- catalog number
- 332297
- Object Name
- semi-automatic key
- bug
- telegraph key
- side-swiper key
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- plastic (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 2 3/4 in x 4 in x 5 7/8 in; 6.985 cm x 10.16 cm x 14.9225 cm
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Electricity
- Telegraph Keys
- Communications
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_891365
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a7-1ff0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
