Posted 13 years ago
Ollie
(64 items)
My Dad had this on a shelf while I was growing up as a conversation piece. He thought it was some kind of a ticket tape machine. When you put paper into it it would print out some kind of code. The plate on it says" The Gamewell Company #782, I believe Jan. 20 1902.
These pictures came out really dark, so I may have to retake.
WOuld love to know something about it.
I just love old stuff like this! It's an old ticker tape machine. You usually think of them as being used as stock ticker tapes and are under a glass dome or belljar sort of lid. I have read where this type was used by fire and police departments, etc to send a coded message to let main stations know where help was needed. Here is a link that will show you similar machine. http://www.antiquemystique.com/pages/8463_jpg.htm
and even a youtube video showing one working at a firehouse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAkcNnhZ2o0
Hope this helps!
Chinablue...Wow..thanks so much for your love and all the info. I do believe that that is what my Dad was referring to. He also had a huge old fire bell (which he sold) .He had
found them both in an old building.
Somehow 110 year old technology is more impressive to look at, I love anything old with gears & moving parts.
It may be a call box. There could be a wheel inside that has code teeth in it that sends out the signal from where the box was struck.
Thanks bags...I watched the utube video and checked the website from Chinablue...I will mark as solved.
Thanks for everyones help!
I'd say that's probably right, bags. Makes sense.