Alexander Graham Bell Experimental Telephone

Object Details

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.

See more items in: Work and Industry: Electricity; Artifact Walls exhibit; Communications; Computers & Business Machines; American Enterprise
Exhibition: American Enterprise
Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

ID Number: EM.252599
accession number: 49064
catalog number: 252599
patent number: 174465

maker: Bell, Alexander G.

Related Publication: Sewer, Andy; Allison, David; Liebhold, Peter; Davis, Nancy; Franz, Kathleen G.. American Enterprise: A History of Business in America

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

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Object Name: experimental telephone; telephone

Record ID: nmah_689864

Usage: CC0

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.

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