The Telephone Story
Some time ago I came across an old poster produced by Western Electric. It was/is falling apart but the story of the telephone and how it looked through the years deserves its corner of the Internet. I hope you enjoy it. I do not know where to purchase ANY of these.
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1882 Magneto
Wall Set
Encased in oak and using the Blake transmitter and Bell's hand receiver, it was the first telephone built for the Bell System by Western Electric. It was one of the 1st side-winder models on which you turned the crank to signal the operator. It was in service many years. |
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1886 Long
Distance Transmitter
This model used a diaphragm for better long distance transmission. This one shown actually was used by Bell and later by Theodore N. Vail, organizing genius of the Bell System |
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1892 Desk
Set
An early effort to make the telephone more decorative as well as more compact can be seen in this souvenir of the Gay Nineties. The carbon transmitter is becoming less unwieldy, the receiver has been reduced in size so it was called a 'watch case' and the ornate base reflects the taste of the era. |
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1913 Wall
Set
The wall telephone became more compact. Instruments like this were in general service and were also forerunners of today's Home Interphone System. They provided intercommunication within the home and were advertised by Western Electric as "the greatest little step-savers that ever helped a housewife." |
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1910 Desk
Set
This streamlined pedestal desk phone first appeared in black finish in 1910 though its prototype- a nickle-plated affair dates back to the turn of the century. These phones were made of cast brass and later steel and were the All-American standard for the next quarter century or so. (at the time poster was done some still were in use) |
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1919 Dial Telephone
The first dial telephone exchange is credited to Almon B. Strowger who introduced it in LaPorte, IN in 1892. It was many years before switching equipment was sufficiently developed to permit dial installation in larger cities. New York City began to get dial in 1922. |
June 27, 2000 News out of Harrisburg PA-"Bell Atlantic hangs up Pennsylvania's last few party line phones".
When Bell Atlantic started converting the lines to single lines about one year ago, about 7,300 customers still had party lines.The lines were introduced in the late 1940's. They offered two, four and six party lines from 1950 to 1970, with different rings so each household knew which calls were for them.
Some 45,000 two party residential lines remained at the end of 1987.
People on party lines had no access to advanced calling options or the internet.
At one time party lines were cheaper for customers. Now the cost of their phones are going to go up about $1.10 to $1.20 more a month. Party lines are no more cost effective for Bell Atlantic, progress marches on.
| Antique Telephone Collectors Assoc | Hello Central pg. 2 | Phones 1928-58 | More phones |
| Joy Can |
thanks Idjut for the background!!
Thanks to John Roache for the music.Word in from Custom Phones might find something there.