A group of retired and active telecom workers established this museum to preserve historical items that were being lost due to demolished buildings or departments no longer needing them. Visitors can view working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical Central Office switches, operator switches, antique telephones and switchboards; outdoor plant displays with poles, cables, splicing equipment and tools as well as outside plant displays such as poles for pole splicing equipment splicing tools etc.
History of the Telephone
Tracing the origins of any invention can be challenging, and that applies to the telephone as well. Although Italian innovator Antonio Meucci developed a basic telephone in 1849 and Frenchman Charles Bourseul published an account of his invention in L’Illustration in 1854, Alexander Graham Bell received his patent for modern telephones in 1876.
Early telephone technology often rendered long-distance calls unintelligible or garbled; having access to an effective long-distance line would revolutionize how we communicate and open up immense financial possibilities.
Established by retired employees of ED TEL in 1987, the Telephone Historical Centre is located at Prince of Wales Armouries Heritage Center in Edmonton and dedicated to preserving and exhibiting telecommunications history for all to enjoy. It features a working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switch as well as antique phones, switchboards, outside plant displays including poles and cables as well as cataloged reference materials relating to communications technology – even dial up an antique phone to experience how far our global communications technology has come! Play phone operators or dial rotary telephone to see just how far we have come since our global communications technology developed!
Early Telephones
The telephone was an ingenious invention that revolutionized society. From its humble roots in 1876 through to becoming the modern landline phone we use today, its history is long and rich with lessons for us to discover.
Early telephones were very large and heavy. They had only one opening for sound transmission, operated by placing your ear against the receiver and speaking into it – this method of dynamic transmission was very loud; many people therefore used headsets in order to hear and speak into them.
The Museum boasts an extensive collection of old phones, both wall phones and handsets that still ring, dial and work – many still do! This collection stands as testament to how far phones have evolved since they first appeared over a century ago. Additionally, this display chronicles how regional telephone companies organized rural America communications – starting small and local with prominent members of each community as pioneers or stock holders before eventually becoming larger enterprises; remaining independent even when becoming incorporated.
Outdoor Telephone Cables
From their inception until roughly late 1940, telephone cables were constructed from lead. Insulated with paper mulch to protect their tip and ring wires from interference from outside interference, their outer sheath/jacket provided insulation against water damage while providing space for the splices.
These cables were utilized in duct runs and as buried cables; sometimes even protected further against interference by being placed within pipes or conduits, protecting from squirrels chewing on them.
At this time, many telcos adopted color-coded telephone cables to aid their technicians when installing or repairing it. A two pair cable would feature two sets of two conductors while four pair cables feature four sets. Tools necessary include a modular crimper as well as some sort of tester to identify its wires (known as conductors).
Modern Telephones
Today we carry phones in our pockets, yet it’s hard to imagine their revolutionary impact when first introduced. This museum preserves and honors this history with antique phones, an operator switchboard and glass insulators used to transmit signals long distances.
Modern telephones are increasingly electronic; wire coils that served multiple functions on older sets have been replaced with integrated circuits powered by line voltage. Mechanical bell ringers have also been phased out in favor of electronic vibrating diaphragms which can be electronically switched to generate pulses like those found on a rotary dial or dual tone signaling such as AT&T’s Touch-Tone system.
The museum boasts one of the world’s best collections of telephone equipment and memorabilia, operated by the non-profit 501(c)(3) Telecommunications History Group founded by current and retired AT&T employees. Visitors may explore on their own or take guided tours led by knowledgeable docents. Working Panel and Crossbar electromechanical central office switches as well as outdoor plant displays such as poles, cables splicing equipment tools and other communications devices can all be found within its walls.
