TELEPHONE

Geography Prince Edward Island

Dimensions52 x 21 x 15 cm

Object numberHF.12.28.03

DescriptionHand-cranked telephone is largely a wood structure with plastic components. The body is a rectangular box with a flat board bottom and holes in the back to affix it to a wall. The bottom of the body features a slanted surface that is used to hold flat objects. The top of the body has two round bells that act as ringers and a crank on the right hand side. Below the bell is a circular speaker that is hinged and the head of the speaker flares out. On the left side is a speaking mechanism that is attached to the phone by a cord and which sits in a holder. The front of the body can be opened.

Narrative

Being able to make a "call" on a telephone revolutionized communication. This wall telephone is one of the earlier devices. Using a hand crank to create an electrical current which rang the bells to signal that the user wanted to make a call. The signal went to either a central telephone exchange or to any other phones on the same line. Privacy on the phone wasn't a thing!

1885 saw the first telephone exchange on PEI; set up in Charlottetown at the Union Bank building, on the corner of Great George and Richmond Streets.

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