Accession No

1303

Brief Description

clockwork telegraph printing apparatus by Siemens and Halske, early second half 19th century

Origin

Berlin; Germany

Maker

Siemens and Halske

Class

electrical

Earliest Date

1850

Latest Date

1900

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass, steel, at least 1 other); wood (mahogany, 1 other)

Dimensions

length 405mm; breadth 305mm; height 185mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Transferred from the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, in 09/1974.

Inscription

‘Siemens & Halske
BERLIN.
N”O 386. ‘ (inscribed on brass base)

Description Notes

Rectangular mahogany base on which is mounted brass apparatus consisting of a system of gear wheels, 2 electromagnets, 2 rollers (one sprung) and various knurled screws for adjustment. Mahogany-framed glazed cover fits over top of instrument. Base would have been fixed via 4 screw holes in the base. On an extension from the base (outside the glazed cover) is a key mounted on 2 brass standards, which would have been used for winding the clockwork (the clockwork is no longer extant). 5 pairs of terminals are set at the edge of the wooden base and wires run from these terminals, under the base, to points on the instrument. A brass knob along one edge of the base can be pulled out to act as a brake on the mechanism, and operates via a rod running under the base.

Condition fair; incomplete (clockwork missing)

References

Events