1882 Lakin Acoustic Telephones * Only Known Pair * American Bell Era
$2,000.00
Ships Worldwide.
Invented, patented and manufactured by James Lakin of Westfield, Massachusetts, Lakin Acoustic Telephones were designed to be used between two buildings (ie, a house and a barn) and required neither magnets nor electricity for voice transmission — just a length of braided wire strung taut between the diaphragms in the two receivers, which doubled as transmitters. They were constructed of cast iron, stood approximately 6″ tall, and had flanged bases that could be permanently mounted to a wall or a tabletop.
If their design and functionality sounds familiar, that’s because they were — in effect — commercial grade string telephones, enjoyed in a much simpler form (typically using two discarded tin cans) by countless millions of children who wanted to experience the magic of telephony without incurring the expense.
These examples — possibly the only surviving pair — are complete, correct and working. Signed prominently by the maker, with an array of patent claims to discourage copycats, their housings have been lightly restored (de-rusted and waxed), and their diaphragms have been rebuilt. There’s a chip in the back side of one mounting flange, but the cast iron is otherwise in excellent condition.
Includes a long strand of contemporary braided wire that can be used to connect the two instruments.
SOLD
