Telecommunications Laboratory

The Telecommunications Laboratory (or “TC Lab” for short) illustrates how the technology of communication has evolved over the years. The TC Lab is organized in three exhibit areas:

Morse Code and Telegraphy – One of the earliest examples of technology facilitating communication is the development of Telegraphy and the use of Morse Code. In this area you can send Morse code messages back and forth with another station, you can see how the early telegraph “sounders” worked, and you can type a message on a keyboard and have a computer convert it to Morse code for you. (more info)

Amateur Radio Station – Early amateur radio stations used Morse code exclusively – and some still do. But this area shows you how the Internet can be used as a substitute for radio waves, how to track the position of satellites, send and receive messages by using one of the biggest satellites – the International Space Station, and how a radio of the future may be a simple “black box” controlled by a computer.

Computers – In this area you can see how the power of the computer has changed video games and simulations from the simple “Pong” games of the 70’s to the sophisticated flight simulators of today. You can “fly” the Wright Brothers first plane, a small Cessna, or a Boeing 737. Computers having high speed Internet connections and the latest version of Windows Media Center let you investigate today’s technology.

Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology. Syracuse, NY.
500 South Franklin Street, Syracuse, New York 13202. Phone (315)425-9068