We are happy iPhone users here on Ladyslipper Lane. With that marvelous little phone I carry in my pocket, I talk, text, email, surf the Internet, take pictures and videos, never miss an event thanks to as many reminders as I need, store my life, listen to any radio station I want, keep up on favorite podcasts and more.
I’ve come a long way, baby.
Our telephone on the farm was an oak wall model. When it rang (a short, a long, and two shorts), we took the receiver off the hook, placed it to our ear and spoke into the mouthpiece on the front. To call out we turned the crank for a short ring and the operator came on, we told her who we wanted to call, and after a little wait she connected us. If there was a community-wide announcement we’d hear one loooooooong ring; and each house would pick up the phone, wait a few minutes until all got on, and the operator would make the announcement.
There weren’t many secrets because “rubberneckers” would pick up anytime they heard it ring (regardless of whose “ring” it was) and quietly listen to their neighbor’s conversations.
When we moved to the city, the rotary phone was a modern wonder. For a time we had a “party line,” meaning we shared the line with at least one other household. We always picked up and listened first to make sure they weren’t on the line — pity if you were stuck with jabberers.
Phone numbers started with a word. We were PArkway 2-7015. So you’d look for the P and the A on the dial and dial that followed by the next 5 numbers. There were no area codes. For long distance we called the operator and she connected us. The telephone company employed lots of women in those days.
Some smart person decided that PArkway could just as well be said with numbers (72), and a charming part of history went by the wayside.
Soon wall phones became the rage with lovely colors to coordinate with any kitchen. Everybody had them; and there was no need for answering machines because our moms were pretty much always at home!
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
I’ve come a long way, baby.
Our telephone on the farm was an oak wall model. When it rang (a short, a long, and two shorts), we took the receiver off the hook, placed it to our ear and spoke into the mouthpiece on the front. To call out we turned the crank for a short ring and the operator came on, we told her who we wanted to call, and after a little wait she connected us. If there was a community-wide announcement we’d hear one loooooooong ring; and each house would pick up the phone, wait a few minutes until all got on, and the operator would make the announcement.There weren’t many secrets because “rubberneckers” would pick up anytime they heard it ring (regardless of whose “ring” it was) and quietly listen to their neighbor’s conversations.
When we moved to the city, the rotary phone was a modern wonder. For a time we had a “party line,” meaning we shared the line with at least one other household. We always picked up and listened first to make sure they weren’t on the line — pity if you were stuck with jabberers.Phone numbers started with a word. We were PArkway 2-7015. So you’d look for the P and the A on the dial and dial that followed by the next 5 numbers. There were no area codes. For long distance we called the operator and she connected us. The telephone company employed lots of women in those days.
Some smart person decided that PArkway could just as well be said with numbers (72), and a charming part of history went by the wayside.Soon wall phones became the rage with lovely colors to coordinate with any kitchen. Everybody had them; and there was no need for answering machines because our moms were pretty much always at home!
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18
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