Collection: Thomas F. Peterson, Jr. Telegraphy Collection

Abstract

This collection consists primarily of manuscript material, print items, photographs and artifacts related to the history of telegraphy. Of note are a large sample of individual telegraphs, photographs of telegraphers and their equipment, catalogs and instruction pamphlets and artifacts such as telegraphers identification buttons and pins, transmitters, commemorative and promotional mementos and toys.

Dates

Creation: 1796-1996

Biographical / Historical

Cleveland-based entrenpreneur, inventor, collector and philanthropist, Thomas F. Peterson, Jr. was executive vice president of Preformed Line Products Company as well as founder of Motion Picture Sound, Incorporated, which provided audio services for the film industry. Peterson filed for his first patent for a perpetual calendar at 13 and continued to patent inventions and publish in peer-reviewed journals for decades. His collection of material related to telegraphy was donated to Case Western Reserve University in 2017.