Western Electric Telephone Switchboard, Used by the Michigan Bell Telephone Company, circa 1930
Add to SetSummary
Before long-distance direct dialing became widespread in the 1960s, callers relied on switchboards to connect calls. When a caller picked up the phone, a switchboard operator on the line would ask them for the number they would like to connect to. The operator would put the call through by manually connecting the caller's line to the appropriate recipient via the switchboard.
Before long-distance direct dialing became widespread in the 1960s, callers relied on switchboards to connect calls. When a caller picked up the phone, a switchboard operator on the line would ask them for the number they would like to connect to. The operator would put the call through by manually connecting the caller's line to the appropriate recipient via the switchboard.
Artifact
Telephone switchboard
Date Made
circa 1930
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
36.218.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Michigan Bell Telephone Company.
Material
Wood (Plant material)
Rubber (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)
Celluloid (Cellulosic)
Copper alloy
Linen (Material)
Color
Brown
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 94 in
Width: 75 in
Depth: 87 in
Inscriptions
167 168 169 / Western Electric
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
