Speaking Tube Collection

Early telephone, historical artwork
Early telephone. Historical artwork of three men gathered around an early telephone. The man at right is talking into the speaking tube

The use of a speaking tube
5311988 The use of a speaking tube; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the use of a speaking tube to communicate with someone in another room. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Homacoustic speaking tube, 1892
3479336 Homacoustic speaking tube, 1892; (add.info.: The homacoustic speaking tube. This model had both mouthpiece and earpiece which made it unnecessary to change position when speaking or listening)

Communicating via speaking tube or hose, 1800s
NWI4759572 Communicating via speaking tube or hose, 1800s.; (add.info.: Communicating via speaking tube or hose, 1800s.); Photo © North Wind Pictures

Sergeant Dunn at the weather station, New York, 1895 (silver gelatin print)
MNY381389 Sergeant Dunn at the weather station, New York, 1895 (silver gelatin print) by Byron Company (fl.1890-1942); 19.2x25.4 cm; Museum of the City of New York, USA; (add.info.: Sergeant Elias B)

A River Excursion in Japan (engraving)
1060890 A River Excursion in Japan (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A River Excursion in Japan)

Command area on board a Zeppelin, German air fleet, First World War, 1917. Artist: Felix Schwormstadt
Command area on board a Zeppelin, German air fleet, First World War, 1917

Communicating by speaking tube, 1882
Speaking tube, 1882. A cross-section of a ship, showing how communication between the bridge (top) and the rest of the vessel took place

Communication by speaking tube, c1850. A waiter serving clients in a restaurant, speaking to chefs at work in the kitchen on the floor below, using a speaking tube

Edisons Phonograph from 1879, wood engravings, published in 1880
The Phonograph (Tin Foil Phonograph) by Thomas Alva Edison (American inventor, 1847 - 1931) in 1879 (improved design of the prototype from 1877)

Reis telephone, 19th century
Reis telephone. This rudimentary telephone by the German inventor Johann Philipp Reis (1834-1874) was first built in 1860 and was based on the principle of magnetostriction

Edison talking into his phonograph, historical artwork. US inventor Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) was a prolific inventor, filing some 1300 patents

19th century speaking tube. This device consists of two speaking cones connected by an empty pipe through which sound could travel to someone listening at the other end

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Travel back in time and explore the fascinating world of early communication through captivating historical artwork. Witness Sergeant Dunn at New York's weather station in 1895, using a speaking tube to relay meteorological updates. In Japan, an engraving from the late 1800s depicts a river excursion, where passengers use speaking tubes to stay connected as they float down the serene waters. The command area on board a Zeppelin from the German air fleet during the First World War showcases a speaking tube system, essential for maintaining communication amidst the roaring engines and turbulent skies. Delve deeper into the annals of history with engravings from The Architect's, Surveyors and Engineers Compendium of 1892, illustrating the use of speaking tubes in various settings. Thomas Edison's groundbreaking inventions, including the phonograph from 1879 and his own experimentation with speaking tubes in the late 1800s, paved the way for more advanced communication technologies. The Reis telephone, a 19th-century innovation, showcases a more sophisticated design, while Edison is seen engaging with his phonograph, a testament to the ingenuity of the era. These captivating images offer a glimpse into a world where communication was an art, and speaking tubes played a crucial role in bridging the gaps between people and places.