Many women were telegraph operators, as shown in this turn of the century picture.

Assorted keys and sounders that could be found in telegraph offices.


another sounder

This is an early KOB (key on a board) unit - one piece key
and sounder.


Relay - used to move the Morse Code signal from
one line to another.

Note the "camel back" key on this KOB

This portable telegraph station only required a line to hook to, a pad, and a pencil to be a complete telegraph office.

This sounder is in a box called a resonator and could be positioned so the operator could easily hear it.

Under crowded or noisy conditions, some operators used a
secret or personal sounder.