History of Science & Technology

[Thomas Alva Edison]

Self-Winding Stock Ticker, Model 35-A

Cryptocurrency Accepted

Auction Closed

July 15, 07:23 PM GMT

Estimate

6,000 - 9,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Edison-Western Union Self-Winding Stock Ticker, Model 35-A, ca. 1900. Brass and metal with cast iron base, metal plaque affixed, and inlaid spool of ticker tape with glass-domed cover. Stamped “M’F’D by T. A. Edison, Inc. / [No.]12087.” Measures 9 x 9 x 14 inches, 25 lbs.

Engraved plaque affixed to cast iron base reads: “EDISON STOCK TICKER / THIS AUTHENTIC OLD SELF WINDING STOCK TICKER WAS DESIGNED BY THOMAS A. EDISON IN 1870. IT WAS USED FOR ABOUT EIGHTY YEARS FOR RECEIVING STOCK AND COMMODITY QUOTATIONS FROM THE NATION’S LEADING EXCHANGES.”

THE HEARTBEAT OF AMERICAN FINANCE

While Thomas Edison did not invent the stock ticker, he did perfect it. Edward Calahan invented the first stock ticker in 1867 for the Gold and Stock Telegraph Company in New York. However, the machines would fall out of sync constantly and employees would have to manually reset the machines. Edison, who had a background as an itinerant telegraph operator for Western Union, made improvements to the original design and patented them in 1871. This ensured stock tickers could print in unison.

Edison's device was used on the stock market and for other purposes such as sports scores through the 1960s and was part of the transition to the automated workplace.

Multiple manufactures produced stock tickers at this time, but the present example was produced in one of Edison's own factories. Manufacturing was Edison's key area of revenue.