Rotary Dial Telephone from the 1940s
1990.12.19 - Gift of Marie E. Carr
Today, we rely on our telephones for everything from communication to amusement. This rotary dial phone may seem a little clunky and old fashioned, but it was positively modern in the 1940s. Just imagine having to share a “party line” with 25 other houses, not being able to make calls at night, having to call the operator and ask to be connected to your local friends, or having the phone lines that are strung from trees and fence posts down for half the winter. Telephone service in Redding and Shasta County is a story of local inventors, entrepreneurs, rural ingenuity, and operator-assisted local calling until 1957!
Come on down to the Museum to check out this month’s Artifact of the Month, read more about Rotary Dial Telephones and vote for next month’s artifact!