Pilling Audiclare Conversation Tube
The Audiclare conversation tube with a diaphragm earpiece was
manufactured by George P. Pilling & Son of Philadelphia, PA in 1898
or 1899.
The overall length of the Pilling Audiclare was 37½" (95.3 cm). This
conversation tube was quite heavy—weighing in at 13.8 oz. (392 g). |
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Front view of the handle of the Pilling Audiclare. The handle (from its
base to the tip of the earpiece) was 9½" (23.6 cm) long.
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Rear view of the Pilling Audiclare handle and earpiece.
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Close-up of the front of the earpiece. The earpiece was 2⅛" (5.4
cm) in diameter. It was unusual to have diaphragm earpieces on
conversation tubes such as this Pilling Audiclare. Most had an eartip
that went into the ear canal.
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Side view of the Audiclare earpiece. Notice the brace below the ear tube
to stiffen the earpiece so it didn't flop around when held against the
ear.
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Rear view of the Pilling Audiclare earpiece.
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Upper rear view of the Pilling Audiclare earpiece showing the model—"Audiclare".
Below that it reads, "Trade-mark reg'd." And below that is the name
"Bowles". Robert C. M. Bowles was the man who invented the Audiclare and
filed the patent papers for it.
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Rear view of the Pilling Audiclare earpiece showing the patent
information on the lower half. It reads, "Pat. Feb 22-98. Pat's
Pending" Below it is engraved, "G. P. Pilling & Son. Phila[delphia]."
and "Sole m'f'rs [manufacturers].
The patent still pending at this time
was filed on June 28, 1898, and the
patent was issued
on June 13, 1899.
Since this conversation tube shows that the this patent is still pending, it
obviously was
made in the latter part of 1898 or in the first half of 1899.
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Close-up of the hard rubber bell. The bell is 3 5/16" long and is
2½" in
diameter (84 x 63 cm).
The sulfur in the hard rubber oxidizes with age giving the bell the
yellowish-brown patina. (When it was new the bell would have been dark
brown to black.)
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