TitleLong Distance Recorder with cedar storage case Datec 1870About this objectThis instrument was used in maritime telegraphy to measure distance, record signals from ships, and transcribe them onto paper tapes, regulating communications during submarine cable laying and maintenance.
A large knob at the top marked ‘UP’ and ‘DOWN’ actuates a pair of prongs connected to fine wires and an internal capacitor, suggesting its role in registering electrical signals. A rear adjustment knob controls a spring mechanism, likely used to calibrate tension or sensitivity. This object is an example of the specialised instruments developed for long-range signal monitoring in the age of global cable networks, reflecting the technical ingenuity required to maintain reliable communication across long distance. Object No.99.87:1-2Inscriptions & marksNo 46410SourceLa Perouse MuseumOn displayNoTypeMuseum objectsOrganisations (Detailed entries)La Perouse Museum (La Perouse, N.S.W.)ThemesScience and communication
Long Distance Recorder with cedar storage case (c 1870). Randwick City Council, accessed 14/01/2026, https://ourstory.randwick.nsw.gov.au/nodes/view/12403
