Thomas EDISON (1847-1931] - Lot 180

Thomas EDISON (1847-1931] Stock Ticker. Edison stock ticker. Brass, tinplate and cast iron. Numbered on a plate: "J.H. BUNNEL & Co, New York, US, n°2286". Circa 1900. Cylindrical cast-iron base with engraved plate: "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". Presented under a glass globe. H. 28 cm (without globe) - D. 20 cm (base) H. 36 cm (with globe). This ticker system, invented in 1867 by Edward CAHALAN, was significantly improved by Thomas EDISON in 1869, making it his first invention. In use from 1870 until the 1950s, it enabled instant transmission of share and gold prices. It played a major role in the development of the New York Stock Exchange, which merged with its competitor, the Open Board, in 1869. Legend has it that in the 1960s, Abercrombie & Fitch bought a batch of these now-unused stock tickers, affixed a historic brass plaque to them and sold them as Christmas gifts for executives. By this time, A&F, which originally specialized in high-end sporting goods, had turned into a chic clothing retailer and luxury gift store. These luxury gifts contributed to its bankruptcy in the 1980s. This explains the brass plate on the base of our model. A similar Western Union model is preserved at the Oakland Museum of California.