Home: Early Telephones
Please Note: Not all of the objects on this website are on display at the museum.
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FIELD TELEPHONE Obviously a field telephone but other than that nothing is known. Judging by the materials used it looks very old possibly pre WW1, the transmitter looks like a Deckert type as shown in GPO training manuals (Telephony Vol 1 Herbert & Procter Page 227) and does not turn as suggested in the comments section. Any more information would be appreciated. View 2 comments about this objectA0002 |
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RELIANCE EXPORT DRY CELL (battery), 1930's Originally designed for local battery telephones, and were installed inside the phone itself. See item A0007. View 2 comments about this objectA0271 |
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BELL'S GALLOWS PHONE (Replica), 1875 Bell's Gallows Phone spurred Bell and Watson to produce their first Telephone Patent on March 7th 1876. They beat Elisha Grey by only a few hours. This has been contested by Grey, who was working on their liquid transmitter. Bell's device was a version of his multiple telegraph, from which this design is based. Be the first to write a comment about this objectA0008 |
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BUTTERSTAMP TELEPHONE, 1900's So called because it is shaped like a butter stamp. A1017 |
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PO TELEPHONE No. 59, 1900's Used by the General Post Office as No 59, the box, made of Walnut contained 2 Dry Cells or Leclanche cells, as this phone was powered locally (LB local battery). Designed by Ericsson in 1899 and taken over by the National Telephone Company, formed in 1885 from both the Bell & Edison Companies at the time. Similar to the Sterling U373 which has the handset at the side. View 1 comment about this objectA0007 |
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SPOON RECEIVER OR EARPIECE, 1900's Part of a telephone unit , listening was carried out on this unit, it was not used for speaking into, a Transmitter was provided for this. A0032 |
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STERLING No 2 (CANDLESTICK) PHONE, 1906 The Candlestick, used with bell set No 1, replaced earlier golf ball style candlesticks, introduced in 1901. It was made by Western Electric and was first used by the National Telephone Company, taken over by the Post Office also as a No 2. The unit shown was manufactured by Sterling Telephone and Electric Company Ltd. Described as a central battery table telephone (pillar phone) having a solid black granular transmitter, with adjustable joint and enamelled brass base. No internal circuitry was provided other than the receiver hook switch, this was all provided in the bell box, which is connected to this instrument, (not shown). View 1 comment about this objectA0003 |
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L.M.ERICSSON GPO TELEPHONE No.16, circa 1909 This instrument was designated the No.16 by the British Post Office and was in use until the 1950's. It is based on an earlier design introduced in 1895 which looked almost identical and was supplied to the National Telephone Company. A0001 |
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BUTTERSTAMP TELEPHONES, 1920's Talking and listening was achieved by using these instruments. Be the first to write a comment about this objectA0885 |
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GPO MODEL 150 CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE, 1920's Candlestick telephone, introduced in 1906, it was used with a bell set No 1a see item A0746. A0009 |
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INTERNAL TELEPHONE, 1920's A small wooden telephone used in offices or coal mines for one to one communication. Two units and a small battery is all that is required to work these units. Working with this instrument in coal mines could be a problem if there was gas around, never the less such units were seen in mines in the early days of Telephones. Strict rules would apply to their use but communication was as important as safety and the position of the instrument was carefully considered. A0010 |
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TMC PILLAR TELEPHONE, 1920's Replacement for earlier skeleton phone . A0033 |
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JYDSK PILLAR TELEPHONE, 1920's This model replaced the earlier skeleton style (See Item A0001) and was probably manufactured by Telefonfeabrikker of Horsons. For Jydsk (Jutland). Telefon Aktieselskab marked on the front. View 1 comment about this objectA0031 |
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GPO 121F WALL TELEPHONE, 1924 Made from around 1924. Wall version of GPO model 150 Telephone. A0011 |
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WALLIGRAPH CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE HOLDER, 1930's Wall mounted telephone holder for Candlestick telephones. View 4 comments about this objectA0084 |
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HUSH-A-PHONE ADAPTOR, 1940 Hush-A-Phone Corporation marketed a small, cup-like device, from as early as 1921, by Tom Carter, which mounted on the speaking party's phone, reducing the risk of conversations being overheard and increasing sound fidelity for the listening party. A,T&T took the company to court, objecting to other manufacturers making attachments to there phones in 1956. Hush A Phone won the case. Reviewed in Popular Mechanics February 1941. Two versions were available one for the candlestick phone (this one) and one for the new 'Neophone' single piece handset. Be the first to write a comment about this objectA1441 |
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ENAMELLED TELEPHONE SIGN, 1950's Signs like these used to be common place outside anywhere that could sell the facility described, most common were Post Offices. View 1 comment about this objectA1380 |