Home:   Microphones

Please Note: Not all of the objects on this website are on display at the museum.

A Short History of the Gramophone

A Short History of the Gramophone

A Brief History of Wireless

A Brief History of Wireless


Image of 1A.340/5 PROBE MICROPHONE AND TRANSFORMER, 1960's

Larger image

1A.340/5 PROBE MICROPHONE AND TRANSFORMER, 1960's

Probe microphone and matching transformer, it is not known what this item may have been used for, the tip of the shaft has a diameter of 18mm, making its use for a specific task, as most probe microphones would have a much smaller diameter. This item came from the Standard Communication Laboratories, work here was for the research of telephone Telecommunications, no more is known about this item.

Donated by John Barnes

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1865

Image of  4034-B VOICE AND 1A.20 FACE ANALYSER MICROPHONES  , 1970's

Larger image

4034-B VOICE AND 1A.20 FACE ANALYSER MICROPHONES , 1970's

On the left is a Sound analyser with a tubular stem attached to a standard 4021 microphone see Item A0561, this was used in the STL for testing sound in finite spaces such in the ear canal of an artificial head, by this means the sound response could be measured from telephone transducers such as phone receivers. Equipment such as the Bruel & Kjaer Microphone Amplifier and Beat Frequency oscillator would be used together with this item, see Items A1882B & A1884.
The second item is also a standard 4021 microphone marked A1.520 with a bracket mounted above the diaphragm, which looks temporary, the distance of this bracket, could be changed for different distances to monitor the response from the human voice. This item may have been used as measurement instrument for monitoring telephone receivers. Both objects came from STL (Standard Communication Laboratories).

Donated by John Barnes

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1864

Image of RONETTE CRYSTAL MICROPHONE TYPE B110 , 1950's

Larger image

RONETTE CRYSTAL MICROPHONE TYPE B110 , 1950's

Popular microphone for the amateur in the 1950's the element is piezo crystal in spite of its low output, the plastic is Polopas, (trade name) which is a form of Bakelite. Price in the 1950's $13.50. Like Crystal cartridges these units have a high output voltage up to one volt peak.

View 1 comment about this object

A1475

Image of ACOS MIC35-1 CRYSTAL MICROPHONE, 1950's

Larger image

ACOS MIC35-1 CRYSTAL MICROPHONE, 1950's

Crystal microphone made in the early 1950's at the Enfield factory of Cosmocord Ltd, they relocated to Waltham Cross in 1956. Crystal Microphones are very high impedance and provide a higher voltage output than other types, they are fragile and if dropped will probably cease to function, they are however the cheapest type. These types of microphone were supplied with low cost equipment such as Tape Recorders for domestic use.

Nortel Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1354

Image of ACOS CRYSTAL LAPEL MICROPHONE, 1950's

Larger image

ACOS CRYSTAL LAPEL MICROPHONE, 1950's

Crystal microphone for wearing on the lapel, made in the early 1950's at the Enfield factory of Cosmocord Ltd, they relocated to Waltham Cross in 1956. Crystal Microphones are very high impedance and provide a higher voltage output than other types, they are fragile and if dropped will probably cease to function, they are however the cheapest type. These types of microphone were supplied with low cost equipment such as Tape Recorders for domestic use.

Nortel Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1353

Image of STC 4114A MOVING COIL MICROPHONE, 1960's

Larger image

STC 4114A MOVING COIL MICROPHONE, 1960's

Less expensive version of the 4113A version, housed in a plastic box and using a standard round diaphragm with a coil impedance of 200 ohms. The price written on the box is £1-15s-0d.

Nortel Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1352

Image of STC 4113A RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1960's

Larger image

STC 4113A RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1960's

Ribbon Microphone for Public Address systems made by STC, it has a low
impedance of only 5 ohms and is small light and very robust.
The internal construction is of high quality, the Ribbon is fed by a horn,and is only 5mm across. No other information is known by the museum.


Nortel Collection

View 1 comment about this object

A1351

Image of MICROPHONE USED BY GEORGE V IN 1924

Larger image

MICROPHONE USED BY GEORGE V IN 1924

The Microphone used by His Majesty George V in 1924 when he opened the Great Wembley Exhibition of that year, it is called a Double Button Carbon Granule Microphone, and was connected to a Public Address system also made by STC. This type of Microphone or Transmitter as it would have been known by, was patented by Standard Telephones & Cables in 1918 as ES386.

Nortel Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1350

Image of CARBON PUBLIC ADDRESS MICROPHONE IN FRAME, 1930's

Larger image

CARBON PUBLIC ADDRESS MICROPHONE IN FRAME, 1930's

Carbon Microphone for Public Address applications, fitted into a box with an on/off switch. Also in the box is a transformer to change the impedance of the device from low to standard 300ohm balanced line, a battery is required to drive the unit, which is wired to the input of the transformer and there is a space in the box for this.

"Reisz" type microphone

Nortel Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1324

Image of EARLY HAND MICROPHONE, 1920's

Larger image

EARLY HAND MICROPHONE, 1920's

Early Microphone of the carbon type used for Public Address,
with no makers identification, possibly a Kellog hand type. Marked with a broad arrow and the letter 'L'

Bruce Hammond Collection

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1264

Image of BTH MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

BTH MICROPHONE, 1930's

Carbon Granules are packed between two carbon rods in a chamber on which one side is a diaphragm of Mica sheet , sound waves move the sheet and subsequently the granules, varying an electric current passed between the electrodes.
Early Microphone probably used for Public Address systems.

Donated by Kenneth Thompson

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A1031

Image of RESLOSOUND RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1950's

Larger image

RESLOSOUND RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1950's

Ribbon type Microphone 30 ohms with transformer for Simon Sound recorder item A0933.

Donated by Mr P Holmes

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0934

Image of HMV RIBBON  MICROPHONE, 1950's

Larger image

HMV RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1950's

Ribbon microphone mainly used for Public Address, but of sufficient quality for a small studio.

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0560

Image of STC 4021 'APPLE & BISCUIT' MICROPHONE, 1950's

Larger image

STC 4021 'APPLE & BISCUIT' MICROPHONE, 1950's

Microphone Moving Coil type Nicknamed 'Apple and Biscuit' because of its shape.
Seen on TV in the 50's being used by reporters.

View 7 comments about this object

A0561

Image of WOODEN CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

WOODEN CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Carbon Granule Microphone for use with Public Address Systems.
"Reisz" type microphone

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0734

Image of CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Carbon Granule Microphone for public address use.
"Reisz" type microphone

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0736

Image of MOVING IRON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

MOVING IRON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Probably just a toy for adults or early learners, the unit is of the carbon type. In the base is a matching transformer, and the primary element requires 1.5 volts to operate.
In use it has a unique sound like an early wireless broadcast.

View 1 comment about this object

A0317

Image of MPR CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

MPR CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Low cost Carbon Microphone for the non professional market.

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0318

Image of SHAFTESBURY RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1940's

Larger image

SHAFTESBURY RIBBON MICROPHONE, 1940's

Ribbon Microphone for Public Address and recording systems.
Ribbon Microphones produce the highest quality for the human voice and are used in recording studios.
This unit may have been used in a broadcast studio. And was made at.The Dulci Works Tower Road London NW10. Marked on back

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0319

Image of GRAMPIAN TYPE MCR MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

GRAMPIAN TYPE MCR MICROPHONE, 1930's

Early Moving Coil Microphone used with Public Address systems.

View 2 comments about this object

A0583

Image of MAHOGANY CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

MAHOGANY CARBON MICROPHONE, 1930's

Carbon granule type microphone in correct mounting, used for Public Address Systems.

Be the first to write a comment about this object

A0735

Image of LISTEN AND LAUGH MICROPHONE, 1930's

Larger image

LISTEN AND LAUGH MICROPHONE, 1930's

If this was plugged into the Gramophone input at the back of a wireless receiver (of the same period), sounds directed at the device would emit from the receivers speaker.

This item would provide great entertainment for the whole family.

Bruce Hammond Collection

View 1 comment about this object

A1255


Back to top

©2007 The Museum of Technology, The Great War and WWII
Company registered in England No. 7452160, Registered Charity No. 1140352, Accredited Museum No. 2221