Switchboards Collection

Switchboard Girls / 1930S
Girls working on a telephone switchboard, watched over by a stern-looking supervisor

The switchboard at the Newcastle Telephone Exchange. 24th Januaray 1931

A long line of telephone switchboards with female operators

An animous telephone operator (Colour Litho)
2778014 An animous telephone operator (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: An animous telephonist)

The manual telephone exchange in Newcastle. 22nd December 1930

The watchroom of Southwark Fire Station, London. Although this had a telephone switchboard serving the adjacent headquarters of the Brigade

Watchroom at Fire Brigade HQ, Southwark
Watchroom at Metropolitan Fire Brigade headquarters in Southwark Bridge Road, with men manning the switchboard and monitoring the fire alarm control board where calls for assistance were received

Men working at watchroom telephone switchboard
Firefighters working on the watchroom telephone switchboard at Southwark Fire Station. Date: circa 1909

Interior Chinese Telephone Exchange, Chinatown, San Francisco, California
Vintage linen postcard showing the interior of the telephone exchange were women sit at switchboards and another woman stands in the foreground. The interior is Chinese in style

The watchroom of Southwark Fire Station, London. Although this had a telephone switchboard serving the adjacent headquarters of the Brigade

Watchroom at Fire Brigade HQ, Southwark
Watchroom at Metropolitan Fire Brigade headquarters in Southwark Bridge Road, with men manning the switchboard and monitoring the fire alarm control board where calls for assistance were received

London Fire Brigade telephone switchboard operator
A London Fire Brigade telephone switchboard operator

LCC-LFB Brigade headquarters station watchroom
The watchroom of Southwark Fire Station. Although this had a telephone switchboard serving the adjacent headquarters of the Brigade

LCC-MFB Firemen in switchboard & control room
Watchroom at Metropolitan Fire Brigade headquarters in Southwark Bridge Road, with men manning the switchboard and monitoring the fire alarm control board where calls for assistance were received

LCC-LFB Control Room at Lambeth HQ SE1
Brigade control was located in the basement of the Headquarters building. A view of the card index rotary drums that recorded the address of every London thoroughfare

NFS London Region control room, HQ, WW2
Firemen and firewomen of the NFS (London Region) at the telephone switchboard of the control room at Lambeth HQ

An example of an early telephone switchboard

New York Telephone Company Exchange Date: 1896

Men working at watchroom telephone switchboard
Firefighters working on the watchroom telephone switchboard at Southwark Fire Station

Telephones Captured 1917
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION - Telephone Exchange captured by Revolutionary Committee troops

Switchboard Girl
The Switchboard Girl

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Switchboards have played a vital role in connecting people and facilitating communication throughout history. In the 1930s, the Switchboard Girls were at the forefront of this technological revolution. With their nimble fingers and quick thinking, they tirelessly operated the switchboard at the Newcastle Telephone Exchange on that memorable day of January 24th, 1931. A captivating sight it must have been - a long line of telephone switchboards stretching as far as the eye could see. These intricate machines formed the backbone of telecommunications, enabling conversations to traverse great distances with just a simple connection. Not limited to telecommunication alone, switchboards found their place in other essential services too. The watchroom at Southwark Fire Station in London boasted its own impressive switchboard setup. It served as a lifeline for firefighters ready to respond swiftly to emergencies across the city. In times of crisis, such as during Tecton Bomb Shelter Design 7 accommodating up to 600 people, switchboards became indispensable tools for coordinating rescue efforts and ensuring everyone's safety. The watchroom at Fire Brigade HQ in Southwark stood vigilant with its reliable switchboard operators ready to spring into action when disaster struck. Even during wartime or moments of chaos, dedicated individuals like YWCA Telephone Operators continued their duties without hesitation. Their colorful lithographs capture an anonymous operator diligently connecting calls amidst uncertainty and turmoil around her. They were not solely manned by women; men also played crucial roles behind these buzzing panels. Men working diligently alongside women ensured seamless communication flow within watchrooms equipped with advanced technology. The manual telephone exchange in Newcastle showcased another facet of this remarkable invention back on December 22nd, 1930. Its mechanical marvels allowed connections between countless callers seeking contact with loved ones or conducting business affairs from afar. Beyond borders and oceans, even Chinese Telephone Exchanges had their own unique interiors nestled within Chinatown's vibrant streets in San Francisco, California.