candlestick phone (jan 1, 1900 – jan 1, 0)
Description:
DESIGN: It had a vertical shaft (the "stick") mounted on a round base. At the top was the transmitter (the part you speak into).RECEIVER: Instead of being built-in like modern phones, the receiver (the part you listen to) was a separate piece, usually attached to the base by a cord. You would lift it to your ear when making or receiving a call.
OPERATION: Many candlestick phones didn't have dials at first — you would crank a magneto generator or lift the receiver to get an operator, who would connect your call manually. Later versions added a rotary dial to allow direct dialing.
MATERIALS: Early models were often made from brass, steel, and bakelite (an early plastic).
MANUFACTURES: Companies like Western Electric, Kellogg, and Stromberg-Carlson were big producers of these telephones.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1900
jan 1, 0
~ 1 months