Microphone

One desktop style Western Electric model "600 A" double button carbon microphone that was used for radio broadcasts. The circular microphone assembly is made primarily of nickel-plated cast iron and required batteries for operation. The front side has a metal bar across the center which is attached to a circular metal outer ring with four small screws (two on each end of the metal bar). A third screw at one end of the bar was the terminal connection for the wire which received the signal from the microphone. Stamped text on the metal ring reads "Western Electric, Made in U.S.A.," and "600 A, Patent 133744, 145638, 1603300, 1611870, 1675853." The back of the microphone has a large metal nut at the center with 12 evenly-spaced screws located along the perimeter of the metal housing. Terminal screws for the power and ground wires from the battery are located on the large metal nut and adjacent to it. (Short pieces of wire can be seen at each of these terminal screws and at the terminal on the front of the microphone.)

The microphone assembly is suspended by 8 metal springs that are attached to the inside of a circular metal frame. (The springs were intended to isolate the microphone from any sounds/vibrations that might transmitted through the metal stand.) The circular metal frame has a small metal loop on top where a small sign could be attached which displayed the radio station call letters. A single screw at the bottom of the frame is used to attach the entire assembly to a chrome-plated steel and brass pedestal that has a circular base. A small adhesive label beside the metal loop at the top of the frame reads "American Microphone Co., Inc., Los Angeles, U.S.A."