Telephone Induction Pickup - Generic

Circa 1960's to 1980's

A simple accessory primarily used to record telephone conversations onto an external recording device, such as a tape recorder.

Use Case:

The device uses a suction cup to attach to the back of a telephone handset, positioning a built-in coil near the handset's speaker. It works by picking up the electromagnetic fields generated by the speaker's voice coil, converting them into an audio signal without requiring a direct electrical connection to the phone system itself. This signal is then sent via the attached cable (with a 3.5mm jack) to the microphone input of a recorder. This allowed users to record both sides of a conversation easily and discreetly.

Historical Significance:

These represent a clever, low-tech workaround to "Ma Bell" restrictions on modifying telephone equipment. They also have modern uses among sound designers and electronic musicians, who use them as microphones to capture the electromagnetic noise or "glitch" sounds produced by other electronic devices like computers, power lines, and lighting fixtures.

NOTE: 2-Units available.

(H-2cm x W-3cm x D-3cm)