Black Box, circa 1972
Add to SetSummary
Black boxes connected to home telephones, allowing callers to bypass long-distance charges. These illegal devices tricked automated telephone exchanges into believing no one answered the receiving end of the call. In the 1960s, notorious "phone phreakers" infiltrated telephone networks; their actions were comparable to modern-day hackers. William Claxton built this box to connect with his brother, living 300 miles away.
Black boxes connected to home telephones, allowing callers to bypass long-distance charges. These illegal devices tricked automated telephone exchanges into believing no one answered the receiving end of the call. In the 1960s, notorious "phone phreakers" infiltrated telephone networks; their actions were comparable to modern-day hackers. William Claxton built this box to connect with his brother, living 300 miles away.
Artifact
Electronic device
Date Made
circa 1972
Creators
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2017.151.3
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Polystyrene
Color
Yellow
Dimensions
Height: 1.188 in (Case)
Width: 1.188 in (Case)
Length: 3.25 in (Case)
Inscriptions
on bottom of case: AMAC PLASTIC PRODUCTS CORP. SAUSALITO, CALIF.
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