General Information

Serial #

N/A

Part Number

1

Total Parts

1

AKA

N/A

Patents

N/A

General Description

Steel & Brass

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

26.0 cm

Width

10.3 cm

Height

15.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Motorized Ground Transportation

Category

Automotive parts

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

MOTOR

Country

United States of America

State/Province

New York

City

New York

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

1900's

Canada

Unknown

Function

A device that produces a loud sound to signal an audible warning to other motorists and pedestrians of a car’s presence.

Technical

Type sample of a manual operated horn that consists of a bell, shaft and push lever; the horn type predates electric horns. The horn is a ‘Wondertone’ model and was manufactured by Motor Appurtenances Corporation in New York (KE – notes). The horn is classified as a push lever type because it required the driver’s hand to push a plunger or lever to operate it; the horn could also be operated by turning a crank or wheel instead of a push lever. The horn’s sound differed depending on the manufacturer of the horn. The horn was externally mounted and was used as a warning device in automobiles to warn motorists and pedestrians of the car’s approach or presence and to promote public safety while driving (McMurtry: 3, 5, 20). Push lever horns were popular from 1914 onwards because they were not body-mounted to vehicles like other horns available during the time, such as exhaust whistles (Schultz: 66). First automobile horns were bulb horns and hand klaxons of various designs, mounted conspicuously. Electric automobile horns replaced manual models c. 1920s. Towards the end of the 1930s automobile horns began to be utilitarian only, and were hidden beneath the hood (KE – notes: 2002.0190.001).

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

Brass mfr's plaque with 'WONDERTONE MFD BY MOTOR APPURTENANCES, CORP NEW YORK' on black background

Missing

None

Finish

Brass rimmed bell, brass screws/ red lacquered body

Decoration

N/A