talerør

A talerør, or speaking tube, is a device consisting of a hollow conduit that transmits spoken sound from one location to another without electrical amplification. One end is spoken into, and the sound travels through the tube to a listener at the other end. The construction ranges from simple wooden or metal pipes to longer, curved configurations.

Historically, talerør were common in ships, large houses, and public buildings from the 18th through the early 20th century. On ships they connected the bridge with other compartments such as the chart room, engine room, or crew quarters, enabling communication without radios or telephones. In mansions and estates, they linked kitchens, pantries, and service areas with dining rooms or central offices, facilitating staff communication and service.

Design and operation varied. Some tubes were straight and rigid, others included bends or flexible sections. A horn or flared end at the listener’s side helped project the voice, while the opposite end often had a removable cap or valve to regulate airflow and sound.

Modern status, use, and legacy: Speaking tubes have largely been superseded by intercoms, telephones, and PA systems, but surviving examples appear in historic ships, museums, and preserved estate interiors. They remain a notable artifact of pre-electrical communication technology.

See also: intercom, historical communication devices.