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Working notes compiled by Charles Wheatstone comprising measurement of the electro-motive force between electrodes coated with films of sulphides, bromides and iodides, elements including zinc, mercury, cobalt and rubidium, and between electrodes of various alloys; measurement of electric potential of compound circuits; observations on the manufacture of amalgams; calculation of the weights of products of electrophoresis; the phenomenon of 'passivity'; employment in electric cells of peroxides and teroxides.

Working notes and rough drafts of hypotheses, methodological narratives, experimental observations and tables of test results compiled by Charles Wheatstone under the general heading of 'electro-motive forces', relating to the utility of employing combinations of elements in battery electrodes, 1871-1873; correspondence between Charles Wheatstone and Richard William Henry Paget Higgs, chemist, on the analysis of acid solutions in battery experiments, with Higgs' experimental observations.

Wind fiddle invented by Wheatstone, a violin with bellows.  Consists of a wooden violin body with slots either side where the bellows were originally housed.

Experimental notes, working papers, correspondence and lecture summaries compiled by Charles Wheatstone, 1836-1875, and photographs collected by him in that period. Notably including papers relating to the development and testing of the telegraph, [1836-1960]; descriptions of experiments and test results concerning the measurement of electromotive forces and electrical potential, [1840-1875]; experimental observations on the nature of magnetism, electricity and thermodynamics, including electromagnet design, batteries and dynamos, [1834-1855]; working papers relating to optics including experiments into refraction, colouration of compounds and polarisation, [1850-1875]; drafts of lectures on sound and musical instruments prepared by Wheatstone, [1832-1837]; material relating to the management of the Wheatstone collection of scientific instruments and library, 1890-1992; biographical material relating to the life of Wheatstone, the invention of the telegraph and Wheatstone's musical instrument manufacturing business, with unrelated newspapers, 1757-1975; stereoscopic photographs and glass negatives taken by Roger Fenton, Samuel Buckle, Jules Duboscq and others, featuring landscapes, still lifes, panoramic scenes of cities including Paris and Moscow and the interior and exterior of the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, Sydenham, 1851, and especially the Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1855, [1850-1901]; artefacts from Department of Physics, King's College London, including demonstration equipment, telegraph apparatus, a nail fiddle and other prototype musical instruments, [1834-1875]; exhibition of scientific and musical instruments, [1834-1875].

Prototype or demonstration model of the 'Wheatstone Bridge' or 'Differential Resistance Measurer' originally devised by Samuel Hunter Christie and further developed and promoted by Wheatstone. An electrical circuit designed to measure unknown resistance by using components with known resistance.  Consists of a series of wires and connectors attached to a wooden base in a diamond shape. [See K/PP107/1/4/44 for a diagram.]

Wheatstone’s Universal telegraph developed from his ABC telegraph, originally patented in 1840 with a new patent in 1858. Using a step by step mechanism, the dial is rotated to the required character which operates ‘make and break’ contacts beneath the dial and the handle turned to send current impulses down the line to the receiver. A large wooden base houses the ‘communicator’ with a large alphabetic and numeric brass and ivory dial and operated by an ivory handle. Inscribed ‘Universal Private Telegraph Company, Incorporated 1861. C. Wheatstone invt. 1840, new patent 1858’.

Wheatstone's Universal telegraph receiver developed from the Wheatstone's ABC telegraph originally patented in 1840 with a new patent in 1858, known as a 'coconut' receiver and used in conjunction with the 'communicator'.  Consists of an ebony body with a brass and ivory dial mounted on a wooden base.  Dial inscribed ‘Universal Private Telegraph Company, Incorporated 1861.  C. Wheatstone invt. 1840, new patent 1858’.

Prototype telegraph transmitter with 30 keys each representing a letter or number and operating a make and break contact sending pulses of current down the line to a receiver.  Thirty unmarked ivory concertina style keys on a round mahogany base and octagonal mahogany lid.

Telegraph relay used for long distance lines by re-transmitting a signal to the receiver or other apparatus.  Consists of a circular brass mechanism with a glass top, and brass knobs (labelled D, D, T, M, U, U) mounted on a circular wooden base.  [See K/PP107/1/4/100 for a description of improvements for relay for automatic telegraph.]

Telegraph relay used for long distance lines by re-transmitting a signal to the receiver or other apparatus.  Consists of an electromagnet housed in a semi-circular wooden case. [See K/PP107/1/4/100 for a description of improvements for relay for automatic telegraph.]

Electromagnetic telegraph receiver bell mechanism, brass on a wooden base, case missing [see diagram K/PP107/1/4/44].

Simple telegraph switch or key possibly for William Fothergill Cooke (1806-1879), inventor, and Wheatstone's double needle telegraph. Consists of a wooden base with brass bars and terminals, and ivory buttons. [See K/PP107/1/3/85.]

Sample of a telegraph cable for an underground railway made of 10 thick wire cables cast into a concrete block.  Original label reads, 'Old form of under-ground railway telegraph wires'.

Sample of a prototype cable made of ninety thin copper wires encased in laminated wood.

Electromagnetic telegraph bell receiver in a mahogany box with green fretwork front and brass winding key at rear [see K/PP107/1/4/44].

Pairs of stereo photographs mounted on yellow viewfinder cards with series of views published by Underwood and Underwood, including Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, view vertically downwards from the top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, Regent Street, London, cotton plantation, Georgia, US, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian infantry at Brandfort, South Africa, view of the full moon.

Pairs of stereo photographs mounted on black and white viewfinder cards depicting a variety of scenes including chateau, entrance to large church or cathedral, dockyard with cranes or hoists, triumphal arch, probably the Forum, Rome, castle battlements, possibly Windsor.

Pairs of stereo photographs on grey, pink and liliac coloured viewfinder mounts, showing views of Rushcutter's Bay and Kurraba Point, New South Wales, Australia, and Sydney Botanical Gardens and George Street, Sydney, Australia.