Sunday, September 21, 2008

Artifact: Candlestick Telephone or "Upright"


The first rotary upright desk phones - the candlestick - were introduced in about 1900 and used extensively until about 1930. Unlike our phones of today, it is comprised of two separate but connected pieces of a transmitter and a receiver. The receivers base is made out of rubber to keep the telephone in place and from falling over. The cords that come form it are made up of silk and/or cotton. The the candle Stick phone is made up of many different types of metals ( e.g. copper, iron , and aluminum). The rim of the diaphragm is also line with rubber. In comparison to the CandleStick phone is the Improved Victor 2 Humpback Phonograph which was designed in 1904 and was so named for the metal piece that holds the wooden horn up. This piece allows for larger-sized horns, and, higher volume.both of these items coming form the same time period transmit sound through a cone shaped transmitter. In contrast mantel clock was designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich circa 1899, in Vienna, Austria. It is carved of pear wood, with metallic numerals. Olbrich was a student of Otto Wagner, a famous Austrian architect. In May of 1897, Olbrich, Wagner, and others founded the Vienna Succession, an independent artist group, after resigning from the Association of Austrian Artists. The mantel clock’s distinctive features include it’s curvaceous solid form, elegant but simple numerals, and characteristic oval shaped opening.these two items though belonging in the house hold served two very different purposes.

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