overall: 1 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in x 5 3/4 in; 4.445 cm x 6.985 cm x 14.605 cm
Object Name:
key
telegraph key
Date made:
ca 1865
Description (Brief):
Telegraph keys are electrical on-off switches used to send messages in Morse code. The message travels as a series of electrical pulses through a wire. The operator pushes the key’s lever down briefly to make a short signal, a dot, or holds the lever down for a moment to make a slightly longer signal, a dash. The sequence of dots and dashes represent letters and numbers. This key is referred to as a camelback due to the curved design of the lever.
