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How to Make a Can Telephone

Making a can telephone is an old method of making a simple, modern toy. Not only are can telephones fun to make, they are fun to use. A can telephone can also teach children about physics using simple and efficient methods. If you have ever wondered about the making of a can telephone for your children, the steps are relatively simple. Here are the basic steps of how to make a can telephone.

Things You'll Need

Empty metal cans
String or fishing line
Nail
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Find two tin cans that have been emptied. Wash these out thoroughly with soap and water and let dry. Locate a length of string or fishing line to fit your required distance. The open end of the cans will be the receiver or the earpiece, and the closed end will hold the phone line.
- 2
  Turn one can on end so the closed end is facing up. Using a hammer and a small nail, drive the nail through the center of the end which is facing you. The nail only needs to go halfway into the can to create the hole you will need for the line. Pull the nail back out either by hand or with the claw end of the hammer. Repeat this step for the other can.
- 3
  Take one end of the string or line and thread through the nail hole. Bring the end of the line through the can so you can hold the end freely on the other side. Make a knot at the end of the line large enough to not slip through the hole. Slide the line back through until the knot catches on the inside of the can. Repeat this step for the other can and the other end of the line.
- 4
  Give one can to another person, and keep one for yourself. Stand apart from each other far enough so that the line is tight. This is what allows for a clear signal to travel along the line without slowing down and becoming distorted. Fishing line allows a faster and clearer signal than string.
- 5
  Talk into the can while the second person holds the other can to his or her ear. When you talk into the can, the vibration of your voice causes the can to vibrate which then causes the line to resonate with the sound. You can switch roles and communicate with each other in this manner.
- 6
  Add a third person by tying a line at the middle of the original line. Then repeat steps 2 through four. This allows one person to talk while the other two listen.

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