Telegraph Key Used by Julius McMartin to Communicate with Thomas A. Edison on a Homemade Line between Their Homes, circa 1859
THF123827 / Telegraph Key Used by Julius McMartin to Communicate with Thomas A. Edison on a Homemade Line between Their Homes, circa 1859
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Artifact Overview
This telegraph key was used by Julius McMartin to communicate with twelve-year-old Thomas A. Edison on a homemade line installed between their Port Huron homes in 1859. Telegraph keys act as switches. They complete an electrical current to open and close relays at receiving stations. Longer or shorter closures produce the telegraphic code.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Telegraph key
Date Made
circa 1859
Location
at Greenfield Village in Smith's Creek Depot
Object ID
60.17.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
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