Dictaphone
The Dictaphone Company Ltd.
Category
Technological items
Date
Unknown
Materials
Metal, rubber, plastic and cable
Measurements
232 (height); 155 mm (width); 317 mm (length), 410 mm (length); 315 mm (width); 270 mm (height)
Place of origin
Deansgate
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 671307
Summary
A grey metal dictaphone contained inside its original rectangular brown corrugated cardboard box. The dictaphone comprises a hollow grey rectangular metal base (with a vent on each side) housing the driving parts. On top of the base is housing for the metal drum (on which a vinyl cylinder would be placed). The housing also holds in place a circular metal recording device which has a long rubber tube attached. This tube can be fitted to the pair of transparent plastic and metal headphones. The recording device incorporates a volume control labelled ‘Off, Loud, Medium, Soft’. Using a corresponding lever the device will run sideways against the drum. There are operating dials and levers on the front of the dictaphone above which is a label which reads ‘See Motor Name Plate Inside For Electrical Rating’. Attached to the base of the dictaphone is an electric cable fitted with a three pin plug. There is also another cable running from the base to a metal footplate incorporating two pedals. On one side of the box are stuck several printed labels. One reads 'Dictaphone Company Ltd. Deansgate, Manchester, 3. Telephone Deansgate 4483/4. The Long Rake Spar Co. Ltd. Youlgreave. Rowsley Station – To Be Called For Head Offices, Kingsway House, Kingsway, London, W.C.2.'. There are also three carriage stamps issued at Manchester (central) by the London Midland and Scottish railway, valued four shillings, three shillings and one shilling and threepence. Total number of items is 3.
Marks and inscriptions
On each ear piece on the headphones: 'CLAROPHONE/ DICTAPHONE CO.' On the front of the dictaphone: 'Dictaphone/ REG. U.S. PAT. OFF./ Model 612/ TRADE MARK NOTICE WITHIN'
Makers and roles
The Dictaphone Company Ltd., maker