This collection of communications equipment includes telephone handset instruments designed by Parnell Rabbidge and manufactured in the UK, his prototype fire alarm device and large hand held microphone.

Parnell Rabbidge experimented with improvements to telephone circuit design, chemical cells, electric generators and electric motors. He lived in Sydney from 1892 until his death in 1941. During his most active period before World War 1 he was the holder of at least 42 Australian and world patents. Parnell made a living for nearly forty years from the proceeds of his work.

Communications equipment, including Rabbidge telephone handsets, Ericsson handsets, thermal switch, microphone handset, various microphone and earphone pieces, paper /metal /plastic, various manufacturers, used by Parnell Rabbidge, Australia, 1886 - 1935

Telephone handset handle: handle made of dark brown Bakelite octagonal grip.

Telephone handset: partially completed handset with dark brown Bakelite handle and casing for earpiece attached. There is a metal ring attached to the top of the earpiece.

Telephone handset: partially completed handset with dark brown Bakelite handle, earpiece with silver metal grill and mouthpiece of black painted metal and brown Bakelite.

Telephone handset: partially completed handset with dark brown Bakelite handle, earpiece with silver metal grill and mouthpiece of black painted metal and brown Bakelite. There is a short length of twisted red and yellow fabric covered cord coming from the handle.

Telephone handset in two pieces: partially completed handset with a cylindrical, ribbed handle of dark brown Bakelite and metal with a Bakelite earpiece. Along the inside of the handle is a button labelled 'PRESS THIS WHILE SPEAKING'. Twisted green fabric covered cord comes from the bottom of the handle. The metal mouthpiece part has come detached.

Telephone handset: handset with a cylindrical, ribbed handle of dark brown Bakelite and metal with a Bakelite earpiece. Along the inside of the handle is a button labelled 'PRESS THIS WHILE SPEAKING'. The horn shaped, Bakelite mouthpiece is mounted on a metal disc.

Thermal switch: is designed to connect with the POTS (plain old telephone system). It is a sealed metal vessel mounted on a timber chassis - a switch would be connected when the metal vessel expanded under heat. The circuitry is concealed in the chassis. There is a length of green and orange fabric covered cord attached.

Microphone: the large and robust microphone is designed to be hand held with a wooden handle and a metal mouthpiece, there is a large metal loop at the top for hanging. Two length of white fabric covered cord with metal plugs are attached to the microphone.

Telephone earpiece: round earpiece made of metal and dark brown Bakelite.

Telephone mouthpiece: round mouthpiece made of metal and yellow plastic with a length of green fabric covered cord coming from the base.

Telephone mouthpiece: round mouthpiece made of metal and dark brown Bakelite with a length of green fabric covered twisted cord attached.

Telephone mouthpiece: round mouthpiece made of dark brown Bakelite with a length of red and green fabric covered cord coming from the base.

Telephone mouthpieces: two mouthpieces made of metal and black Bakelite wired together with yellow fabric covered cord.

Telephone handset: handset in two pieces. Dark brown Bakelite, cylindrical handle with round, black Bakelite earpiece. There is a red and green fabric covered cord coming from the handle. Separate round, metal mouthpiece with perforated grill.

Morse code key: key mounted on a long rectangular base, all made of brass.

Cord: twisted and tangled, fabric covered connection cord. Plug and socket made of metal and black Bakelite.

Magnetic metal components: a slim metal disc with a small square of silver material soldered to the centre of one side. Four metal semi-circular shaped pieces, each with holes drilled through them.

Storage box: storage or tool box with hinged lid made of dark stained and varnished wood. One of the hinges is broken.

This assortment of communications equipment includes items designed by Parnell Rabbidge.

Items manufactured in Europe and Australia in the period 1890 - 1920.

The telephone handsets designed by Parnell Rabbidge were adopted by some early telephone service subscribers in Australia and the UK (greater details regarding this can be found in the documents assembled by Bruce Rabbidge).

The thermal switch was tested and proved but Parnell had great difficulty in pushing the project through the appropriate bureaucratic channels. It may also have been thwarted on the grounds of risk and liability for the introduction and reliability of such a device.

The large hand held microphone is of an extraordinarily robust design and it may be a military prototype produced by Parnell.

The other material may have been used by Parnell for examination and experimentation on other manufacturers products.
The material was originally owned and used by Parnell Rabbidge. These items remained in the possession of the Rabbidge family until Bruce Rabbidge offered them to the museum.

Gift of Bruce Rabbidge, 2002

Handle for telephone handset: no marks.

Telephone handsets (3): printed on earpiece 'THE INDIA-RUBBER GUTTA-PERCHA AND TELEGRAPH WORKS COMPANY LTD./THE RABBIDGE TELEPHONE PATD'.

Telephone handset in two parts: no marks.

Telephone handset: impressed on mouthpiece 'MADE IN SWEDEN BY A.B. LM ERRICSSON & CO STOCKHOLM PATENTED OCT 29 1895'.

Thermal switch: 'PATENT' '1803'.

Microphone: no marks.

Earpiece: no marks.

Mouthpiece: no marks.

Mouthpiece: on reverse '4000/ALL ALL/BRITISH BRITISH/2000 MEL 2000/PRODUCTS-LONDON'.

Mouthpiece: no marks.

Two mouthpieces wired together: on reverse of each mouthpiece 'TRIMM/"DEPENDABLE"/TRIMM RADIO MFG CO./CHICAGO, U.S.A./1200 OHMS'.

Telephone handset, morse code key, cord, metal components and box: no marks.

2002/115/3

1890