Accredited Museum

Please Note: Not all of the objects on this website are on display at the museum.

BELL'S GALLOWS PHONE (Replica), 1875

Bell's Gallows Phone first patent spurred Bell and Watson to produce his first working model (The Mental Phone) on paper only. Later the Liquid Transmitter was produced. It is said this second patent beat Ilisha Grey by only a few hours, but this has been contested by Grey, who claimed it as his own.

A0008

BUTTERSTAMP TELEPHONE, 1900's

So called because it is shaped like a butterstamp.
This early telephone instrument was used for transmitting and receiving.

A1017

BUTTERSTAMP TELEPHONES, 1920's

Talking and listening was achieved by using these instruments.

A0885

GPO TELEPHONE No.16, 1900's

This instrument was designated the No.16 by the British Post Office and was in use until the 1950's. It is based on an earlier design introduced in 1895 which looked almost identical and was supplied to the National Telephone Company.

The example shown was made for the GPO as it is marked No.16. The transfers are almost certainly not original.

A0001

PO TELEPHONE No. 59, 1900's

Used by the General Post Office as No 59, the box, made of Walnut contained 2 Dry Cells or Leclanche cells, as this phone was powered locally (LB local battery). The design was taken in 1899 from the National Telephone Company, formed in 1885 from both the Bell & Edison Companies at the time. Similar to the Sterling U373 which has the handset at the side.

A0007

GPO 121 WALL TELEPHONE, 1924

Made from around 1924. Wall version of GPO model 150 Telephone.
Made originally from the Bell set No1 Item A1089.

A0011

FIELD TELEPHONE, 1900's

Origin and make unknown, believed to have been made in the late 19th century , as it uses a Deckert type Transmitter of that period.

This item is also shown on our mysteries page.

A0002

SPOON RECEIVER OR EARPIECE, 1900's

Part of a telephone unit , listening and speaking was carried out on this unit. The ringing generator and box is missing.

A0032

STERLING No 2 PILLAR PHONE (Candlestick), 1906

The Candlestick, used with bell set No 1A, replaced earlier golf ball style candlesticks, introduced in 1901. It was made by Western Electric and was first used by the National Telephone Company, taken over by the Post Office also as a No 2. The unit shown was manufactured by Sterling Telephone and Electric Company Ltd. Described as a central battery table telephone (pillar phone) having a solid black granular transmitter, with adjustable joint and enamelled brass base. No internal circuitry was provided other than the receiver hook switch, this was all provided in the bell box, which is connected to this instrument, (not shown).

A0003

GPO MODEL 150 CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE, 1920's

Candlestick telephone, introduced in 1906, it was used with a bell set No 1a see item A0746.
When the automatic exchanges came in, this design replaced the Telephone No 2, as dials were introduced.

A0009

INTERNAL TELEPHONE, 1920's

A small wooden telephone used in offices or coal mines for one to one communication. Two units and a small battery is all that is required to work these units. Working with this instrument in coal mines could be a problem if there was gas around, never the less such units were seen in mines in the early days of Telephones. Strict rules would apply to their use but communication was as important as safety and the position of the instrument was carefully considered.

Known as a 'Direct Line Wall Telephone Set'

A0010

TMC PILLAR TELEPHONE, 1920's

Replacement for earlier skeleton phone .
See item A0001.

A0033

JYDSK PILLAR TELEPHONE, 1920's

This model replaced the earlier skeleton style (See Item A0001) and was probably manufactured by Telefonfeabrikker of Horsons. For Jydsk (Jutland). Telefon Aktieselskab marked on the front.

A0031

ADVANCE PRIVATE AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE MASTER STATION, 1970's

Transistorised unit with speech amplifier for office communications.
The dial mounted on the front is for internal dialling.

A0047

PO WALL CLOCK, 1940's

Slave units used in Telephone Exchanges and also in Post Offices for many years, these were driven by a master long case clock situated in the Exchange.

See Item A0073

A0351

GPO EXCHANGE OR MASTERCLOCK, 1960's

Pendulum clock used in telephone exchanges, for timing functions.
Item A0357 is the relay unit for this.
Using the Hipp toggle principal which swings the pendulum by pulling it every so often by a magnet powered by electric pulses, supplied only when the momentum of the swing started to die.
This unit uses a modified version of this system.

• A0357 - EXCHANGE CLOCK CONTROL UNIT
  

A0073

EXCHANGE CLOCK CONTROL UNIT, 1940's

Used to control equipment connected to the exchange master clock
Item A0073.

• A0073 - GPO EXCHANGE OR MASTERCLOCK,
  

A0357

GPO ENGINEERS BUTT, 1960's

Used by engineers in telephone exchanges, and on the road for testing telephone lines.

A0043

PAY PHONE DISK TEST COINS, 1970's

Used for checking operation of telephone coin boxes.
Sizes are early Metric type.

A0060

GPO ENGINEERS CLEANER BLOWER, 1950's

Used by cleaners and engineers to blow the dust from telephone equipment.

A0064

GPO TELEPHONE OPERATORS HEAD SET, 1950's

Headset used by manual switchboard operators.

A0062

GPO CHEST MICROPHONE, 1940's

Transmitter Breast Sound Powered No2-Mk3
Used by Telephone Switchboard Operators.

A0908

25 x 4 UNISELECTOR No 15A, 1950's

Uniselector for use in Private Automatic Exchanges (PAX).
Origin Unknown.

A0562

STROWGER MULTI-SELECTOR (UNIDENTIFIED), 1950's

Multi selector for use in large Private Automatic Exchanges (PAX)

A0564

2-10 STROWGER FINAL MULTI SELECTOR, 1970's

Strowger Final Selector for automatically connecting up to 100 telephone circuits to one.
If more units are linked together complete telephone numbers can be selected.

A0559

PO PRE 2000 SELECTOR, 1950's

Exchange Strowger Selector. Used before the new 2000 series, which looks similar.
For automatically connecting up to 100 telephone circuits to one.
If more units are linked together complete telephone numbers can be selected.

The unit is shown on its side, for the correct orientation see Item A0559

• A0741 - 2000 STROWGER FINAL SELECTOR
  

A0951

2000 STROWGER FINAL SELECTOR, 1970's

Strowger type Final multi selector in use up until the late 70's.
Up to 100 telephone lines can be selected with this unit.

The unit is shown on its side, for the correct orientation see Item A0559

A0741

GPO DYNAMOTOR No 50A, 1970's

Dynamotor for generating all the tones necessary in a telephone exchange including the voltage for the ring signal.
also the tones including, Park, Busy and Number unobtainable.

A0558

SIEMENS EXCHANGE RING GENERATOR, 1950's

Used in small telephone systems for creating enough voltage to drive telephone bells.

A0083

ERICSSON PMX 5 x 40 SWITCHBOARD, 1940's

Made by L.M.Ericsson and imported.
Early style manual Switchboard.

A0059

3 x 1 SMALL DOLLS EYE EXCHANGE, 1940's

Small manual telephone exchange for one exchange line and three extensions.

A0528

GPO 5 x 20 DOLLS EYE EXCHANGE, 1950's

Standard GPO design of manual type 'Dolls Eye' Switchboard.

A0058

GPO 2 x 4 DOLLS EYE SWITCHBOARD, 1950's

Manual switchboard used in offices between the Wars and after.
Diagram for this unit is N935. (Called 'N' diagrams by the GPO) Possibly dated May 1959

A0046

RELIANCE PAX, 1940's

Donated by The Forest of Dean Railway Company where it was in use. Restored and repaired and now in fully working order. PAX stands for Private Automatic Exchange. Some parts are dated 1946.

A0050

GPO MACREADY KEY SENDER, 1950's

These units were designed to help Telephone Operators with the fatigue caused by continuous dialling.

A0021

GPO TIMER 70A, 1950's

Timer unit driven by exchange clock and used for timing functions in the exchange.

A0079

GPO TIMER 62A, 1970's

Used for timing functions in exchanges and driven by the exchange clock.

A0080

GAMBRELL BROS EARLY TRANSFORMER, 1930's

Telephone Transformer with Ratio of 5/1 Admiralty Pattern 5869

A0024

INTERNAL WALL TELEPHONE, 1930's

Common intercom used in both houses and offices between the wars (and before), all that was needed was a battery and some wire.

A1227

STERLING PRIMAX INTERNAL TELEPHONE, 1930's

Common internal telephone for homes and offices.
Required only wires, two units and a battery.

A1234

A & B KIOSK BOX BACK BOARD AND TELEPHONE, 1940's

Standard GPO Telephone Kiosk contents with a 200 series Bakelite telephone and 1960's back board.
Notice the area where the Telephone Directories would be housed.
See Item A1147

A0825

A and B COIN PHONE RENTERS UNIT, 1960's

This type of back board and coin box was rented for installation in public houses and hall ways, originally designed by Hall Telephone Accessories Co Ltd around 1930, the design remained the same for over 30 years, only replacing the Tulip Mouthpiece and Butter Stamp Receiver with the Neophone Desk Set 232

A0065

TELEPHONE COVER, 1930's

Used to cover unsightly telephones.

A0045

TELEPHONE COVER, 1930's

Used to cover and hide telephone.

A0952

STERDY APARTMENT TELEPHONE, 1960's

Used for apartment entry system, button is to release door.

A0958

ERICSSON FIELD TELEPHONE, 1920's

Could have been used as a Trench Phone or more likely to be an Engineers Test Set.
Normally with a leather case, but this is missing.

A0026

GPO ENGINEERS TEST SET, 1950's

GPO test set used by engineers to test lines, can be carried over shoulder.

A0027

DICTOGRAPH DICTOMATIC OFFICE SWITCHBOARD, 1950's

The Dictograph Company was formed in 1902 with the first surveillance room bugging device.

A0049

RELIANCE MASTER or EXECUTIVE INTERCOM STATION, 1970's

Office Telephone system with no external line connections.
Transistorised amplifier for microphone in the front for hands free use.
Speaker underneath.
Usually fitted in senior managers and directors offices.

A0048

RELIANCE INTERNAL EXTENSION DESK TELEPHONE, 1960's

Internal telephone system used this phone as a direct method of communication without an exchange.
On the base is marked 15DJITS.

A0025

10 CORE LEAD COVERED TELEPHONE CABLE, 1900's

Telephone cable for underground use, protected by a thick lead sheath.

A0575

STC 1800 41B CABLE, 1930's

Sample of underground telephone cable.
The wires are insulated with paper and the cables were laid in airtight ducts, air was pumped in occasionally to check for leaks, as moisture caused problems with the insulation.

A0568

LEAD BAND TELEPHONE MARKER, 1933

Band marker for ducted cables for identification and destination.

A0580

LEAD SHEATH TELEPHONE MARKER, 1934

Band markers for ducted cables for identification and destination.

A0579

CHROME RING TELEPHONE CABLE, 1930's

Sample of underground telephone cable.
The wires are insulated with paper and the cable were laid in airtight ducts, air was pumped in occasionally to check for leaks, as moisture caused problems with the insulation. the outer covering is Gutta Percha.
This sample is held together by a chrome ring for display purposes.

A0569

NYLON COATED TELEPHONE CABLE, 1960's

Data cable with armour protection, coated in hemp which has been saturated with a mixture for under ground use.
The Transcontinental Cable System or L-carrier system, was developed by AT&T to create a hardened Telecom network using coaxial cable for long distance communications. There were five phases of development of the system, designated by the Bell System as L-1 through L-5. Later versions were hardened against the dangers of the cold war.

The initial systems in the 1930s had 600 voice channels, far more than could be carried by balanced pair carrier systems, and cheaper per channel for high-usage routes. This version was standardized as "L-1" in 1941. Each successive version had at least twice as many channels as the previous version, culminating in the L5 design in the 1970s, which used the then-novel error-control method of feed-forward. AT&T Long Lines built two coast to coast systems of L3 as well as shorter ones connecting major cities, especially the big cities of the eastern United States, as a supplement to the mainstay microwave radio relay systems. Many were later upgraded to L4. L-carrier systems were loaded by multiplexing and super multiplexing Single side-band channels.

A0574

GPO COAXIAL UNDERGROUND CABLE, 1960's

Example of underground coaxial cable on display stand. The inner conductor is air spaced for better performance, air is one of the best insulators. The conductor is held in the centre by nylon discs. For an explanation of coaxial Telephone cables see Item A0574 above.

• Detailed view of the Cable
  

A0063

BT MULTI PAIR PAPER INSULATED TELEPHONE CABLE, 1970's

Telephone cable usually laid in sealed ducts, containing hundreds of wires all identified by a colour code system, the only insulation being paper.
Once installed all joints were made with molten lead wiped with a cloth similar to old lead plumbing, the cable itself had to be kept dry, and the ducts were pumped full of air to check for leaks regularly.

A0577

MOTOROLA CELLULAR PHONE, 1980's

An early example of a mobile phone, before true hand-held mobile phones were introduced.
This one would normally be mounted in a vehicle because of its weight.
Model S 1551A

A0041

MOTOROLA DYNA TAC MOBILE PHONE 8000S, 1986

The world's first mobile phone was the Motorola Dyna TAC 8000x. It went on sale in 1983 in the US at the staggering price of $3995, and despite the price tag, was an instant success and had waiting lists of up to six months! It went on sale in the UK on 1st January 1985 and the very first phone call was made by Ernie Wise! It was followed in the UK in 1986 by the 8000s & in 1988 by the 8500x and in the US in 1990 by the 8000m. These phones are all analogue.

• Showing the Illuminated Screen
  

A1336

MOTOROLA 8800X MOBILE PHONE, 1990

The 8800x, 8900x & 888 were the new generation of the brick phones as they were slimmer than the previous 8000 and 8500 series models. They were just as high and wide, but a whole 2cm less deep! The 8800x and 8900x were made from 1990 to 1994 and were designed for the UK market. In the US they were branded as Classic and Ultra Classic. Some have an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display and some have a modern LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display that we still use today. Some had a large LED display and some early ones had the smaller rarer LED display. The ones with the small LED's are the most collectible. All these phones are analogue.

A1343

MOTOROLA MICRO TAC 9800X FLIP TOP MOBILE PHONE, 1991

The worlds first flip phone was the Motorola Micro TAC 9800X launched in 1989. It's a design that is still seen today on millions of mobile phones around the world. The phones and batteries may have got smaller and more powerful, but the basic design is still there. The early phones were all analogue, and had the small LED display that is sought after by collectors. The later phones had the modern LCD display and some of them were digital and can still be used today. One of the best features of these phones is the antenna, which pulls up from the top of the phone. The antenna is just a piece of plastic and has no affect on reception. The phones antenna is internal, but it was felt that customers would want to see an external antenna, so one was added! On the 9800X the microphone was built into the flip part of the phone, but on all other models, it was in the body of the phone and the grooves cut into the flip are just for show. The basic design was used in many different types of phones, branded with many different names. Some of those phones didn't have the flip, some did.

• Illuminated Screen
  

A1346

PANASONIC MOBILE PHONE, 1990's

Panasonic mobile phone used in the late 1990's.

A0930

NORTHERN TELECOM DISPLAY TELEPHONE, 1979

Only stores phone Numbers and addresses, and other general information, once the number has been selected the unit phones automatically.

A0042

GPO EARLY TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, 1906

South East England Phone Directory.
This very interesting Directory has a hard red cover, and was donated to the museum by the daughter of it's original owner.

A1111

1968/9 LONDON TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES A-Z, 1968

Four Telephone Directories from the 1960's.
The curator found her mothers old telephone number in one of these books.

A1147

BT ANSWERING SET No 1A, 1960's

British Telecom leased this unit, which answered calls with a personally recorded message.
Unfortunately no callers message could be recorded.

A0035

GPO LINE INSULATORS AND WALL BRACKET, 1940's

Fitted to walls, and can still be seen to this day, they were used by the Post Office Telephone Department, to suspend bare wires made of a mixture of Cadmium and Copper in exactly tested proportions to carry the weight of the telephone line over long distances. Before 'Drop Cabling' which was two wires insulated in Vulcanized Rubber, and underground Ducts were introduced in the early 1930's , all telephone lines were suspended airborne between poles and brackets similar to these.

A0350

GEC TELEPHONE No 312, 1955

Standard Telephone produced for the GPO in the 1950's known as the 'Cheese Dish' Telephone. Used from 1938 to 1965.
Fitted with a plastic curly cable, which was replacing the cotton cables, as the new plastic telephones came into use.

A0053

GPO BELL SET No 25, 1940's

Bell set for use with Post office Systems or the 200 series telephone that had no bell incorporated.

A0739

GPO TELEPHONE BELL SET No 41, 1930's

Originally a Bell Set No1 later converted to a No 41 in 1985.
Designed to be used with pillar phones or the series 200 types.

A0746

GPO WALL TELEPHONE No 706, 1960's

Standard GPO style 706, wall mounted version.

A0056

GEC TELEPHONE No 706, 1970's

The 706 telephone preceded the 746 type. It had hand wiring inside with only one small PCB that plugged into the base, the body was made of injection moulded strong plastic.
This model replaced the 300 series Bakelite telephones of the 1940's.

A0530

TELEPHONE No 332, 1950's

332 type telephone, which is part of the Telephone Exchange Item A0798. Below
The Telephone Exchange was reported as being used in the police station, in the TV series Z Cars, seen in the 1950's.

A0800

TMC OPERATION BOX, 1950's

Telephone Exchange that was reported as being used in the police station of the TV series Z Cars in the 1950's
See Item A0800

A0798

FONADEK TELEPHONE ADAPTOR, 1960's

A 2 X Valve Amplifier for Bakelite Telephones this was still being used in the 1960's, thus enabling 'Hands Free' conversation.

A0892

ANSAFONE J10 OR MK1 ANSWERING SET, 1950's

Ansafone Ltd launched their newly named company with this model.
Until the 1970's Ansafone was one of only 3 companies to be licensed by the Post Office to make and sell Telephone Answering machines in this country.
Two of the museum's Trustees worked for Ansafone, and this item brings back happy memories for both of them.

A0782

GPO UNIT TRANSFER INTERCOM, 1935

This unit is fitted with two 'doll's eye' indicators, one (labelled Exch) for exchange line calling and clearing and one, (labelled EXTN) for non-multiple station calling and clearing.
The unit contains a buzzer which can be operated by both indicators.

A0779

TELEPHONE WITH SECRECY BUTTON No 710, 1960's

Telephone used in the Museum as a handling item for demonstrating the Secrecy Set No8, see Item No A0753

A0749

SECRECY SCRAMBLER SET No 8, 1950's

The Secrecy Set No8 distorts the signal to an unrecognisable mush, the circuit is then reversed at the receiving end.
It would not be difficult to un-distort the message that is sent down the line. This machine is a Transistorised version of the valve equivalent used after the war, and supplied by the British Post Office for commercial use only.

A0753

GPO SECRECY PHONE 300 TYPE, 1941

For use with secrecy scrambler box.
See item A0753.

A0039

PREDETERMINED AUTO DIALLER, 1930's

Telephone early automatic dialler, on the drum are a selection of names when the drum is moved such that the name required is in the window on the front, the lever handle is turned, this resets all the pins inside accept those for the name chosen, also at the back of the pins is a dial mechanism that is set to the movement scanning all the pins, as it passes over the protruding pins set earlier by the drum, the contact on the dial pulses out the correct number across the telephone line.

A0757

WALL TELEPHONE No 311, 1930's

Wall Telephone for use with internal systems around the 1930's probably supplied by the GPO.
Manufacturer unknown.

A0726

ERICOFONE, 1960's

Made by Ericsson of Sweden and sold in this country via Post Office Telephones, as the risk of de-monopolising the GPO by the Government got closer.

A0038

GPO TELEPHONE 248, 1930's

The 248 two extension phone replaced the bell set No20, see item A0012

A0013

BELL SET 20 ONE EXTENSION, 1930's

Used by butlers & secretaries to transfer one telephone line to two extensions. Also used for home extensions.

A0012

GPO IVORY TELEPHONE WITH NEON, 1970's

Table top telephone with neon indicator on the top of the handset which flashes when the phone rings.
Designed for the deaf or hard of hearing.

A0523

GPO TRIMPHONE, 1970's

The Trimphone was introduced as the threat of de-monopolising the GPO was about to be introduced, it suffered from one problem, the transmitter (microphone) was poor quality.
It also introduced a chirping sound instead of a bell,

A0037

WINDSOR SEE THROUGH NOVELTY TELEPHONE, 1970's

Typical novelty phone with see through case and flashing neons when it rings.

A0018

GPO TELEPHONE 746F, 1960's

Replaced the 300 series style in 1959.

A0036

GPO TELEPHONE 706, 1960's

Supplied by Advance Telephones.
Standard GPO Style 706.

A0054

GPO 312 TELEPHONE, 1936

Black version of 300 series telephone. Used from 1938 to 1965.

A0017

GPO 162F TELEPHONE, 1932

The first British phone of this design using the new material (Bakelite) Siemans Brothers called the new handset the Neophone. Introduced in 1929.
General Electric GEC called it the Gecophone. This could replace the tele 150 in almost all applications as it also required a bellset, however the GEC version could have an internal bell.
The old candle stick design was still provided, as the 162F transmitter was not suitable for central battery use.

A0014

WALLIGRAPH CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE HOLDER, 1930's

Wall mounted telephone holder for Candle Stick telephones.

A0084

HOUSEHOLD WALL TELEPHONE, 1930's

Household Internal Telephone, with six extensions and no external line capability

A0006

GEC RAILWAY TELEPHONE, 1940's

Type of instrument commonly used by the railways.

A0067

ERICSSON LOCAL BATTERY WALL TELEPHONE, 1940's

Wall telephone for internal use only, normally found on railway installations, and fire stations, the Magneto generator, attached to the handle on the side, is big enough to drive many bells, and the box is big enough to carry local batteries.

A0066

WESTERN ELECTRIC WALL TELEPHONE, 1940's

Telephones of this style were still being used in the southern states of U.S.A. well into the 1960's.

A0078

AMERICAN SHIPS WALL TELEPHONE, 1940's

Type of telephone used on board ships, probably during the Second World War.
Model SW

A0069

BTH FRENCH DUMPY CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE, 1941

Made in England for France and known as a French Candlestick.
Telephone Model 3231.

A0019

GPO 232 TELEPHONE AND BELL SET 26, 1949

As the 232 telephone had no bell internally, see item A0015, one option was to mount a standard wall Bell Set underneath the telephone as in this assembly.

A0020

GPO 232 TELEPHONE, 1949

Follow up to the 162F almost identical but made using different moulds, Used from 1929 to 1959, also it provided an anti side tone coil which reduced the level of the users voice in the earpiece prompting them to speak up.
Also provided in Chinese Red and Ivory, or they could be painted provided the subscriber paid the cost of restoring them back to black.
This unit also requires an external bell set.

A0015

PINK TELEPHONE COVER, 1955

Rare plastic cover for 300 series Telephone, probably a limited edition, this along with the telephone was donated by Mrs Goodall, a lady who lived in Wembley, Middlesex. Date unknown.

A0023

WALT DISNEY PHONE, 1976

The original version with dial sold in America then imported. Phones similiar to these with buttons are still available today, and can be found in antique shops selling for twice the price they can be purchased for new. Date unknown.

A0055

TEAPOT TELEPHONE, 1950's

Style used in Britain, but made in Belgium.
Known as a ''Teapot Telephone''.

A0022

GEC 332 TELEPHONE, 1950's

Dating from the late 1930's and originally conceived in Sweden by Ericsson this is an improved version of the 232 type.
With self contained bell.
Also available in Red, Black and Green.
Many variants are seen, some with internal bell generators, green handsets for scramble use (secrecy) or red handsets for priority use.

A0016

SIEMENS RAILWAY WALL TELEPHONE, 1960's

Type of instrument normally used for internal use in offices, and also by the railways.

A0068