First telephone

[francypants]

Our first telephone was 1964/65 and it wasn't a party line. My dad was a self employed taxi driver and needed a phone for his business. Yes several neighbours used to come round to use our phone and I can still remember the phone number to this day.... 387875.

[echo beach]

My parents' first 'phone was installed in 1952 just after they'd moved to a new house in Gleadless. It was black bakelite and had a small drawer in the base which they could pull out to reveal a list of contact numbers which they'd written down. For quite a few years it was a party line (which was slightly cheaper) because the infra structure hadn't been completed to provide individual lines.

 

echo

[stpetre]

Got our first phone in 1969,and it was a party line.Can still remember number,Dronfield 2458.

 

Just called that number, a Chelsea player's dad answered!

[jackanne]

Sorry stpetre don't understand that, please explain.

[Jim Hardie]

Sorry stpetre don't understand that, please explain.

 

A reference to Gary Cahill.

Edited October 17, 2016 by Jim Hardie

[rhodesian11]

We've had a few 'Firsts' on here, like T.V's, cars etc. what about first telephone, either your own or parent's. Things like neighbours wanting to use it

and so on. Would imagine that being a nuisance in the 50's- 60's.

 

yes we had one in the 50s, i remember the no. 36042

[Runningman]

Some information for you connected generally with Telephones. I was for many years an engineer on both GPO and BT. Out in the external cable network there were remains of such as telegraph poles erected by the National Telephone Company and also jointing chambers with metal lids, with the National Telephone names embossed on them. In some areas such as Ranmoor and Broomhill, cable had been provided in wooden troughing, their modern day equivalent being earthenware and plastic ducts. Many of you will have the incoming telephone wire to your house terminated on 2 insulating pots. The old what were referred to as open wires were 2 copper conductors, each terminated on the 2 pots. Open wires were phased out in the late 50's. In some locations there are flat metal plates indicating the presence of an underground jointing chamber, one close to Beauchief traffic lights. This one was fitted during the reign of George 6th.

 

Aren't I a sad person, but nice to see some of the past remaining around us !

[scousemouse]

My father was in business, so we had a car and phone from about 1950. We also had a party line with the lady who lived two doors down, and had the black phone with the front drawer for numbers!! A far cry from what we have now!

[fatrajah]

Our first phone was a green Trimphone installed in 1974. The number was Whitwell 777-very easy to remember.

 

---------- Post added 02-02-2015 at 11:14 ----------

 

Some information for you connected generally with Telephones. I was for many years an engineer on both GPO and BT. Out in the external cable network there were remains of such as telegraph poles erected by the National Telephone Company and also jointing chambers with metal lids, with the National Telephone names embossed on them. In some areas such as Ranmoor and Broomhill, cable had been provided in wooden troughing, their modern day equivalent being earthenware and plastic ducts. Many of you will have the incoming telephone wire to your house terminated on 2 insulating pots. The old what were referred to as open wires were 2 copper conductors, each terminated on the 2 pots. Open wires were phased out in the late 50's. In some locations there are flat metal plates indicating the presence of an underground jointing chamber, one close to Beauchief traffic lights. This one was fitted during the reign of George 6th.

 

Aren't I a sad person, but nice to see some of the past remaining around us !

 

I too used to work for PO Telephones/ BT. I too notice these relics from the past so you are not the only one! Incidentally my current phone was served by open wires up to about 10 years ago when there was a plant uplift program. The DP serving my phone is an original ring-type dating from 1957.

Edited February 2, 2015 by fatrajah

[chrishall]

1957, party line, my dad was scared to death of it, if it rang he wouldn't answer it but just sit there with a look of fear!