Some More Items on Display

The Spark Museum has an amazing collection of things that I did not know even existed anymore. Many of the later items are models of items from patent applications. One such is the model of a three-phase motor shown above.

Others are the real deal. Here is a device designed by Lord Kelvin and built by French instrument maker.

I was amazed to see that not only did they have one of the vintage vacuum tubes from the era that made such things as a transcontinental phone call possible, but in this case is one of the four telephones used in that historic phone conversation!

Perhaps the most impressive is this light bulb. It is one of Edison's first successful bulbs. It one of only three known to exist. I will add that there is also a later bulb made by Westinghouse and to my surprise the socket and connector on the base of that bulb is exactly the same as the ones we still use. Sometimes it is shocking how little things change with time.

Below is another patent model. It was made in 1832 by Hippolyte Pixii and is a model of the first generator ever constructed. If you are interested in such things, this is the place to be. It is not huge (it lives in a remodeled storefront), but is packed with valuable and fascinating items. I have only scratched the surface here. There is much more: Atwater Kent and other radios, a Theremin, many vintage record players, etc. Well worth the price of admission.