Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1990.021.033 |
Object Name |
Headset, Radio |
Title |
Radio Headset |
Lexicon category |
6: T&E For Communication |
Credit line |
In Memory of Edwin Miller |
Date |
20th-century |
Artist |
Northern Electric Co. Limited |
Made |
Northern Electric Co. Limited |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
Radio headset. The head set has two cloth-covered metal bands attaching two ear pieces. The ear pieces have black bakelite parts with celluloid diaphragms. The metal of each ear piece is impressed with "Northern Electric Co. Ltd. Rio". The ear piece is secured together with 5 flat, slotted screws. |
Makers mark |
The metal of each ear piece is impressed with "Northern Electric Co. Ltd. Rio". |
Provenance |
The item was manufactured by the Northern Electric Co. Limited. The item was formerly owned by Caroline or John Miller or their sons. The Millers lived in a farm house south of Hanover, Normanby Township, Grey County. The last owner, Dorothy Miller (neé Miller), was married to Edwin Miller, a brother of the last two occupants of the Miller farmhouse - twin brothers, Noah and Aaron Miller. |
Collection |
Telecommunication Equipment Collection |
Material |
Metal/Bakelite/Canvas |
Dimensions |
H-17 Dia-6 cm |
Found |
Normanby Township (formerly), Municipality of West Grey, Grey County |
People |
Miller, John & Caroline |
Subjects |
Radios |
Function |
This headset was needed to ampify the weak signals that were received in the days when the radio it was used with was new (see RELATED radio). A radio speaker made it possible for more than one listener to hear the sound. "The earliest attempts at loudspeakers began with simple radio sets, which were able to supply only enough audio power to operate headphones. They involved combining the electro-dynamic diaphragm of the head phone with a resonance horn similar to that of a gramophone's. With a good signal, the resulting device meant the difference between one person only listening to the radio, or several persons at close proximity in a quiet room doing the same without head phones. Sound levels were modest at best." |