The Telephone Historical Centre is more than a museum for phones; it’s a showcase for innovation, technology, culture and people.
This impressive 4,500-square foot museum traces 100 years of communications technology both locally and worldwide, as part of an interactive family outing or school field trip experience. As North America’s largest of its kind, this fun yet educational destination makes an excellent family excursion or school field trip destination.
The History of the Telephone
The telephone has revolutionized our lives, and its development is truly fascinating to witness. Starting as early as rotary phones to today’s sleek, advanced smartphones – preservationists and museums have played a critical role in keeping its history safe.
History of the Telephone can be traced back to an array of early inventors, beginning with Samuel Morse’s telegraph which used electrical signals to transfer coded messages via electric currents. Others such as Francis Ronalds, Baron Schilling and Antonio Meucci experimented with electromagnetic devices capable of transmitting sound.
Alexander Graham Bell invented and patented the first telephone in 1876. His invention allowed people to transmit voice communication across great distances instantly – something previously impossible without this device. Additionally, business phone lines allowed companies to conduct conversations with clients and colleagues that wouldn’t otherwise have taken place.
The History of Telecommunications in Edmonton
A revolutionary invention called the telephone enabled citizens to directly contact each other without going through an intermediary, while instantaneously routing messages through complex switching devices; unlike its telegraph predecessor which only served as a store and forward system.
Edmonton was introduced to the telephone by a local telegraph company in 1878. By 1908, an elaborate municipal telephone exchange had been constructed at 100th Street and 102 Avenue; considered at that time to be among the most advanced telephone exchanges in Canada.
The Telephone Historical Centre first opened its doors on Dec 3, 1987 in Old Strathcona before eventually moving to its current home at Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Centre. This museum boasts a one-of-a-kind collection that commemorates Edmonton’s rich telecommunications history; among its archives are several Edmonton telephone directories dating from 1895 up until today and technical manuals dating back to 1800s, as well as photographs documenting its use throughout Edmonton history.
The History of the Centre
The history of the telephone is an intriguing tale that spans innovation, technology and culture. To preserve its legacy for future generations to enjoy, museums and historical centres around the world have come into existence that chronicle this incredible invention’s journey into our global communications system.
Many of these centers display original telephone equipment such as switchboards and trunk systems from past decades to give visitors an authentic experience of telecom history. Furthermore, knowledgeable volunteer docents who work for Bell often serve as docents at these museums; their passion for telephone history makes their knowledge all the more impressive.
Visits to a Telephone Historical Centre are an enjoyable and educational way for people of all ages to gain more insight into the history and development of telecommunications technologies, and their relevance today. These centers can serve as great family outings, school field trips or sight-seeing tours.
The Collection
This collection, which continues to expand, boasts telephones and related equipment from every region in Guernsey as well as examples of most means of data communication used here. It traces the evolution of communications from its infancy in Guernsey through to today.
This collection, one of the largest in North America, is funded through membership dues and research fees as a registered non-profit organization. It has come about through years of dedication by many volunteers as well as generous donations from many individuals and corporations alike.
The Archives present Alberta’s rich telecommunications history through artifacts and records such as records from exchanges and offices as well as subscriber lists; vintage telephone directories; as well as maps/diagrams regarding Bell operations (maps). They can be found at Roseville Telephone Museum – one of Canada’s premier museum venues of its kind.
