Telephone Switchboard Drop Signal, 1900-1925

01

Artifact Overview

Before long-distance direct dialing became widespread in the 1960s, switchboards connected calls. When a caller picked up the phone, drop signals would indicate to an operator that someone was on the line. The operator would ask them for the number they would like to connect to and then manually connect the caller's line to the recipient.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Drop signal

Date Made

1900-1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

42.190.140

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Independent Pioneer Telephone Association.

Material

Iron alloy
Copper alloy
Hard Rubber

Dimensions

Height: 3.75 in
Width: 1.25 in
Length: 2 in

Inscriptions

Eureka Patented 9 17
Telephone Switchboard Drop Signal, 1900-1925