Vibratube
The American Earphone Company in New York manufactured this
Vibratube.
This model is a rubber tube covered in black fabric ($5.00). They
apparently also made a spiral metal tube model for $7.00.
This conversation tube dates from around 1930.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
 
|
| |
|
|
A picture of a second Vibratube in the museum. The tube of this
Vibratube is 32½" long. The overall length including earpiece and bell
is 39".
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Close-up of the Vibratube earpiece. The earpiece is 4½" long.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
Close-up of the Vibratube bell. The bell is 4½" long and is 1¾" in
diameter.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Vibratube pulls apart into three pieces. This makes replacing
any broken part very easy. Also, it makes it easy to adjust the earpiece
or mouthpiece to point in any desired direction. The joins are simply a "press
fit". This tube is 36 inches long. The ear piece and bell are
made of hard rubber.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The Vibratube assembled and mostly unrolled to show its length.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
|
The attached tag states "The mouth piece
should touch the lips of speaker for best results." They're not
kidding. When I put my mouth to the mouthpiece and spoke in a soft
voice, even with my severe loss, I could hear my voice wonderfully well.
Here is a
sales sheet for the Vibratube.
|
 |
Click picture for larger view |
| |
|
(If a larger picture doesn't appear, you may have to
turn your pop-up blocker off)
|
|
|
