849

GERMAN "LICHTSPRECHER" INFRA-RED VOICE TRANSMITTER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:360.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,000.00 USD
GERMAN  LICHTSPRECHER  INFRA-RED VOICE TRANSMITTER
GERMAN "LICHTSPRECHER" INFRA-RED VOICE TRANSMITTER
Very rare Lichtsprecher LiSpr80 infra-red voice signal transmitter, 11" x 7 3/4" with original black leather case. In 1935 Carl Zeiss developed this incredible device which uses infra-red light to transmit a signal to a receiving station up to five kilometers away where receiving apparatus would convert the light signal to voice. This item would have been especially important at sea, where radio communications were generally to be kept to an absolute minimum to prevent enemy triangulation of the transmitter. The machine could also be connected to the standard field telephone (FF33) via one of three connections. The unit appears in near-new condition, with double 80mm lenses, which would produce either white, red or infra red light using a selector knob located on the back, targeting eyepiece, tripod mount, power light, etc. With Carl Zeiss 1940 manufacturing plate affixed to the unit, and "LiSpr" and Zeiss-marked black leather carrying case. One collector actually obtained a receiving unit and has made both units functional. Provenance: Time-Life Collection; The War Museum Exhibited:
The Mariners Museum, Newport News, Va; "Carriers, Codes and Silent Shups," 1996.