Summary

Home- made spark coil for early radio experimentation. Made for (and possibly by) Alfred John Trinca, whom the donor claims probably experimented with wireless communication prior to 1903.

It has been somewhat "restored" by the donor. Trinca is said to have experimented with telephony at his home "Intra" 34 Lisson Grove Hawthorn about 1900. Probably made in Australia around 1900.

Alfred John Trinca commenced at Melbourne University in 1903, graduated in medicine in 1907, first clinical pathologist at Alfred Hospital in 1911, joined R. A. N. In August 1914, served in France in R. A. M. C. as part of British expeditionary force from 1915 to 1918. Resumed medical practice on return to Melbourne in 1920 and became well known Collins Street surgeon. Born 26/4/1884 and died 2/5/1981.

Physical Description

The coil is mounted on a wooden base and has brass screw terminals at each end. There is an interupter adjusting screw.The coil is cylindrical and overwound with black tape a bundle of iron wires in the core. The coil is mounted between two wooden blocks. Inside the box is a homemade capacitor, made of paper, wax, metal foil and wood from a cigar box.

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