I do not remember when Alex Graham Bell invented the phone, but I feel like I can. Some of us on here have been around since a smiling voice said, ‘Number Please’ when you picked up a telephone. A couple of us have actually plugged in the back wire and said ‘Number please’, then took the front wire of the pair and plugged it into the called number and pulled the little lever back to ring the called number. I did it in the military where they let ‘boys say number please’. Paula was a ‘number please’ girl, do we have any more here?
And they invented the round dial, then the push buttons. There was always the “O” for operator if you needed help.
Even with the dial and push buttons, you still had to talk to an operator if you were to call long distance.
Then came direct dial, with the NEW INOVATION of area codes, you could dial anyplace in the USA, BUTthe calls had expensive LONG DISTANCE CHARGES, costs were by the minute.
Direct Dial, that is my story. I was on duty at the Key West Naval Base. I took a phone call. When the guy realized I was Navy he said, “Hey, I got the wrong number and I am taking to the Navy!” It was a slow day and we chatted for about 20 minutes, and he said, “I am sick of this rain.”
“Well we sure could use rain here, but we haven’t had any rain in weeks,” I commented.
He was in New Orleans, LA, and he thought the wrong number was across the river at the New Orleans Naval Base. I explained I was in Key West. “MY Lord he said, I must have run up a hundred dollar phone bill, Bye!”
An error in direct dial probably cost him dearly.
Now we sit here on the internet and talk to folks all over the world and the cost is no more than talking to your sister down the street, AMAZING.
Thanks for coming by the log.
Nite Shipslog
PS: Many advances are easy to fall in-step with and enjoy, others some of us stumble along, hoping we do not get lost in the rush.
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Another one wheel cycle. I’m looking at that steering wheel, what is he turning?
(I search the internet to find these vehicles, I am amazed at history and the wheel)
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12 comments:
Remember "party lines"? I can recall my grandmother picking up the phone ans asking the other party to hang up so she could make her call....!! We've come along way..!!
Thank you for the shout out! I just saw a movie you'll probably remember. Dean Martin & Judy Holliday. Bells are Ringing. So cute, funny too.Jean Stapleton was in it. She was Susan of Susanswerphone service. what a hoot.
oh, you are right about the price of a long distance bill..That poor guy having to pay so much..thanks for the story, glad I was able to inspire lol...
I remember when I was in grade school going on a tour of the telephone company and seeing all the operators at their desks taking calls. I wanted to be one when I grew up. Good thing I didn't; I probably would be out of a job by now :)
Phones sure have changed over the years indeed!
betty
Back when Grover was in the Army in the mid 50's it took half my check to pay for one phone call, and to think now you can see them while you talk and it doesn't cost you anymore then what you pay each month for your phone service. Wet up here in Op's.
I remember Miss Lily Tomlin was
Ernestine the operator, it was
one ringy dingy. two ringy dingys.
Our cousin was a telephone operator
and retired with Bell South probably
started working when she as 17.
She was the operator of a big
switchboard, number please.
I remember the days when you bought like units - and it cost 5 to call across the street and 100 to call about 30 miles and so forth - $$$$
Times sure have changed, it's true. I saw a funny video today of a person showing little kids old phones, answering machines and typewriters and watching their reaction to what they do. hard to believe the technology today is so advanced.
I loved that job at my small home town. Then when I went to Sears I already knew how except we had lights to tell us when the parties were through talking. No more listening in. lol
Forgot to say it was nice to see a comment from Jean.
Just like Betty, I recall going on a field trip to the City's switchboard ... watching in absolute awe!
Like it was yesterday, I recall my mother getting ready to call her folks in Minnesota (on special occasions only!) and setting out the 3-minute 'hourglass.'
Goodness, what we take for granted any more!
I remember the two pary lines and the dial telephones!
Amazing all the things we have experienced.
It is amazing to think of all the changes like the telephone that we have experienced in our lifetimes. I'm one that is thankful for the changes as it no longer costs an arm and a leg to keep in touch with my family. It's another sunny day here in Ohio and we're warming up. They say it may be 27 here today. That's a big improvement for sure ! Hope you all are enjoying some sunshine there !
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