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Early 20th C Crystal Detector.

A curious item survives in the box. It was probably put there for safe-keeping. It is a galena (lead sulfide) crystal. It was used with a thin piece of wire called a "cat's whisker" to rectify electric current flowing through. This provided a way of converting a radio signal into something which was capable of driving a pair of high impedance headphones.

It brought memories to me. Although I am not as old as this. I used a diode which encased it the mechanism a glass vacuum. It was more reliable. The cat's whisker needed continual manipulation.

There is more information at: http://biologylabs.utah.edu/goldenberg/fun.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_radio

Description:
Ref: WB602

http://www.hygra.com/uk/n11/WB602
Painted satinwood writing slope inlaid with an oval of sycamore. The central oval has depictions of roses, convolvulus and forget-me-nots. There are naive painted depictions of shells on the satinwood: a memory to "Britannia Rules the Waves" The box is edged with boxwood. Inside the box has its original green baize writing surface with a blue paper lined compartment for paper underneath. The box retains an original inkwell with Sheffield plated top and a pounce pot.

The painting was sometimes done at home the box then being brought back for varnishing. This is when sensible young ladies like Jane Austin had much more practical boxes.. See: file://WB603/thumb.htm

Origin: UK; Circa: 1800 ; Materials: .

Size: 27.6 cm wide by 22.8 cm by 7 cm tapering to 4.8 cm: 10.9 inches wide by 9 inches by 2.8 inches tapering to 1.9 inches.

Condition: good overall; working lock and key; see images

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All text and images and linked images are © 1999-2011 Antigone Clarke and Joseph O'Kelly. If you require any further information on permitted use, or a licence to republish any material, email us at copyright@hygra.com