Meyrowitz Otophone 1C
The Meyrowitz Otophone 1C was manufactured by E. B. Meyrowitz, Co.,
Inc. of New York, possibly as early as 1887. Devices similar to
Otophones were still being listed in catalogues as late as 1928. Emil
Meyrowitz was an optician who also manufactured surgical instruments in
addition to various non electric hearing aids. The Otophone 1C weighed
2.7 oz. (76 g). The Model 1 Otophones came in 3 sizes—A, B and C with
C being the largest size. |
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Side view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C. The Otophone 1C stood 3¼" (8.3
cm) high and was 3⅞" (9.8 cm) front to back. The Series 1 otophones
consisted of a cone opening (bell), and
a diaphragm earphone set at right angles. To use, you held the
earphone flat against
your ear with the cone facing forward. |
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Front view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C showing the earpiece with the
diaphragm in the center. The thin metal diaphragm was fastened at one
side, but the rest vibrated freely. The earphone measured 1 13/16"
(7.1 cm) in diameter.
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Front view looking into the bell of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C. The bell
measured 1 15/16" (7.5 cm) in diameter.
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The name of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C was clearly engraved into the back
of the earphone (top). Note the serial number (3975) at the right.
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Another view of the back of the earphone of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C
showing the Model No. (1C) and below that the manufacturer (E. B.
Meyrowitz Inc. New York).
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Rear view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C.
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View of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C showing the black earphone and brown
bell. Originally the whole Otophone was black, but because it was made
out of vulcanite (hard rubber), over time, when exposed to the air, the
sulfur in the vulcanite oxidized and changed the color to a
coppery-brown shade.
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The reason the front of the earphone remained black is because it was
protected from the air by a tight-fitting leatherette cover, which
obviously was kept in place most of the time. Note that from the edge of
the cover onward the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C is discolored.
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End view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C showing the earphone cover in
place.
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View of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C showing the earphone cover removed
revealing the pristine black of the front of the earphone..
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Inside view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C earphone cover. Stamped into
the cover in gold is "Estab. 1875", "E. B. Meyrowitz Inc." and
"London-New York-Paris".
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Front view of the Meyrowitz Otophone 1C earphone protective cover made
of black leatherette.
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The picture at the right shows the smaller
Otophone 1B model (left) beside the larger 1C model.
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