Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1259
- Creators:
-
Morton, Sterling, 1885-1961
Kleinschmidt, Edward E., 1876-1977
American Telephone and Telegraph Company
Morkrum-Kleinschmidt Corporation
Kleinschmidt Electric Company
- Dates:
-
1915-1930
- Languages:
-
- Physical Description:
-
- Repository:
-
This collection largely contains correspondence regarding the Kleinschmidt Teletype, as well as financial records and newspaper clippings regarding the Teletype Company.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of correspondence kept by Charles B. Goodspeed, a major stockholder in KIeinschmidt Electric Company. It relates to internal workings of the company and the telegraphic typewriter it developed, as well as the merger with Morkrum and the purchase of the company by AT&T. Many of the letters are from Sterling Morton, president of the Teletype Corporation.
Arrangement
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into three series.
Series 1: Correspondence, 1915-1930
Series 2: Financial Statements, 1929
Series 3: Newspaper Clippings, 1915-1930
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Kleinschmidt Teletype was invented by Edward E. Kleinschmidt, a German-American inventor and businessman. He invented a high-speed stock ticker, an automatic fishing reel, a railroad signaling device, and a high-speed teletype that "revolutionized the communications industry." The Kleinschmidt Teletype was considered a breakthrough in world communication, replacing Morse code transmission and reception with typewriters and printers. Kleinschmidt, Howard Krum, and Sterling Morton jointly obtained a patent for this technology in December 1928. Teletype Corporation was sold to the American Telephone and Telegraph Company for $30 million in 1930.
Administration
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated to the Archives Center by Janet Pigott in 2011.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Holly Nelson.
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation
Kleinschmidt Teletype Records, 1915-1930, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu
