Old Landline Telephones… great retro design art

[peterperkins]

As my dad worked for the G.P.O (Post Office) as it was known for about 40 years from the early 1960's he used to bring home old telephones and bits of exchange for me to fiddle with as a child/youth. Hence the interest in electronics and mechanical stuff. We had our own home brew house exchange years before anyone else and extensions in every room.

Now being mature and sensible I hankered after a nice desk top 1950's Bakelite phone with reassuring clattering post war ring.
I found one in a antique shop recently and after sending it to Gavin (83) at 'The Antique Telephone Company' for conversion it's got pride of place sitting on top of my veneered 1950's vintage Stereo Dynatron 'Marlow' Valve Radiogram.

The telephone works well and requires a Home Counties Radio 4 stiff upper lip British accent and correct procedure when in use.

'Hello, Walmington-on-Sea 333. How may I be of assistance?'

You are a bit stuffed if you need the * or # key though, so thankfully it's only for speaking with real humans...

[HTP99]

I'd love one of those dual green or beige/brown, desktop phones from the 80's, I wouldn't have it connected, just as an ornament.

When we get round to decorating the lounge I may pick one up.

[ARHarh]

like this one i have on my desk. Works for now until they cut off land lines. It will then become my homes voice control.

[Fallingup]

That's all very well but a display that gives you an idea who's calling is almost essential these days with all the scam calls.

[LordLoveLength]

The BT Trimphone - with a glow-in-the-dark dial illuminated by a tritium filled glass tube.
Which was ok as long as it didn’t get broken and release the radioactive tritium!
Must have cost a fortune in collection and disposal for them.

[Mr Pointy]

ARHarh said:

like this one i have on my desk. Works for now until they cut off land lines. It will then become my homes voice control.

I've posted it before but you can get VOIP conversions:
https://www.vintagetelephony.co.uk/products

[anonymous-user]

LordLoveLength said:

The BT Trimphone - with a glow-in-the-dark dial illuminated by a tritium filled glass tube.
Which was ok as long as it didn’t get broken and release the radioactive tritium!
Must have cost a fortune in collection and disposal for them.

I worked for BT in the 80’s
They ended up in the skip!

Remember in the olden days, you put your hand over the mouthpiece to ‘mute’
On these, the microphone was by the earpiece, connected be tube. So you could still be heard when covering the mouthpiece.
Caught a few gossips out!