Telephone Switchboard Used in Cadmus, Michigan, circa 1905

01

Artifact Overview

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 Details

Artifact

Telephone switchboard

Date Made

circa 1905

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

41.140.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

Material

Oak (Wood)
Glass (Material)
Metal

Color

Brown (Color)
Gray (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 60.25 in
Width: 11.5 in
Length: 24 in

Inscriptions

on data plate: AMERICAN / ELECTRIC TELEPHONE CO./ CHICAGO, ILL. U.S.A.