Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Number please...

Our holiday hotel had an unusual ornament in the lobby near the lifts: the old manual telephone operator switchboard. (This style was very common in the 60s and you could still buy them in the 1980s). It had now become a curiosity for children and many of the jack cords were damaged. (I saw systems like this in the 70s, mainly during the course of replacement by electronic ones. Here are some typical UK systems)

I also took a trip up to the top floor in search of good camera angles. Spot the Croc...

3 comments:

James Higham said...

I'd love to see such a switchboard in operation again, with the operator plugging in and out.

Shades said...

James, the novelty wears off quickly enough. The girls love their new boards once they realise how much easier it is for them.

jmb said...

Oh my goodness, that is a terrifying spiral staircase. Croc is just visible one spindle left of centre. The black ones, fortunately.