TitleTelegraph condenser, No. 225About this objectAlso known as a capacitor, this device stores and releases electrical energy. In telegraphy, condensers were used to reduce electrical noise, smooth out voltage fluctuations in the circuit and improve signal clarity over long distances. The centre terminal is marked with ‘E’, which likely indicates that this particular condenser was used as an earth connection.
Established in London in 1906 by electrical engineer Sidney George Brown, Telegraph Condenser Co. Ltd originally started as a platform for Brown’s inventions and later became known for manufacturing innovative condensers for the burgeoning telegraphy industry. By the mid-20th century, the company was supplying a diverse range of condensers for applications including telegraph, wireless, telephones and battery eliminators, demonstrating its adaptation to emerging technologies. It has also developed a market in Australia around this time, which likely explains the provenance of this object. Object No.99.75CreatorThe Telegraph Condenser Co. LtdInscriptions & marks‘ONE MICROFARAD’;
‘.50, .50’, indicating that the capacitor consists of two sections of 0.5µF each, centre-tapped;
‘The Telegraph Condenser Co Ltd/LONDON/Nº 225;
‘O.T.T’ printed in gold on the front of the cylinder.Place madeLondonSourceLa Perouse MuseumOn displayNoTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesScience and communication
