Self-winding stock ticker

1923

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Metal, glass, paper, wood

Overall (stock ticker): 14 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (36.2 x 23.5 cm)
Part (stand): 42 1/2 x 18 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. (108 x 46.4 x 46.4 cm)

Gift of the Western Union Telegraph Co.

1961.41ab

This self-winding stock ticker was invented in 1923 by Western Union engineers. For many years, it was used for receiving stock and commodity quotations from the nation's leading exchanges. These tickers were replaced by Western Union's high speed ticker, which could record five hundred characters per minute.

DescriptionBrass and metal Self-Winding Stock Ticker on a circular, cast iron pedestal and under a glass dome; pedestal painted black and inscribed, "QUOTATIONS FURNISHED BY THE / WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO. / APPLY TO LOCAL MANAGER" in gold letters twice. Square, wooden column stand with a stepped, chamfered square base and top; door in the front of the stand with a metal pull handle opens to electrical wiring inside; two holes drilled through the top; rectangular brass plaque screwed to the top.

MarkingsPainted on the iron pedestal, twice: "QUOTATIONS FURNISHED BY THE / WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO. / APPLY TO LOCAL MANAGER" in gold letters; engraved on the brass plaque: "PRESENTED BY / THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH CO. / TO / THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY / 1961."; engraved on the ticker mechanism: "M'F'D BY / T.A. EDISON, INC. / 10617"

ClassificationsBUSINESS TOOLS & EQUIPMENT