Caption:
Model of an optical telegraph, Model of an Optical Telegraph, on a floorboard. It consists of a box with a mechanism at the bottom, on which two posts have been put to which movable arms are attached. The main arm rotates about an axis between the two posts and has two blades at the ends, which rotate independently and are provided with counterweights. A fourth arm can be moved up and down in line with one of the posts, making it visible or hidden behind the post. The control panel on one side of the cabinet has three keys with hands that indicate the position of the arms, the fourth arm is operated with a pull mechanism just above this panel. With rods and chains running over discs, the movements of the keys are transferred to the arms and wicks., anonymous, France, 1792 - 1795, wood (plant material), brass (alloy), h 84 cm × w 31.5 cm × d 25 cm radius of main arm: l 15.3 cm radius of wings: l 13.7 cm