Telephone Heritage Group
Telephone Heritage GroupA small group of people dedicated to the preservation and restoration of historical British GPO telephones 1930 to 1980. You are welcome to visit my shop as well. Further details at foot of page200 Series Telephones 1929 to 1960'sIn 1929 came the introduction of the revolutionary and elegantly curved pyramid shaped Tele 162 table telephones (also known as 200 series telephones). In 1934 telephone 1/ 232 was introduced as a further development with as astic circuit that further improved speech quality. Both these telephones required separate bell sets mounted elswhere. Locating a bell separate from the telephone was normal practice. It was very usual for the bell set to be located in the hall, while the main telephone itself would be located convenient to the customer. It was also possible to mount the bakelite bell set underneath the telephone using special screws. Ironically, these telephones were still being installed as late as the early 1960's. 300 Series Telephones 1932 to 1960'sAround 1932 the BPO wished to introduce a telephone with integral bell. They developed the Tele 332 in conjunction with Ericsson Telephones Ltd (UK). By 1937 there were six presses in England stamping out the Norwegian painters designs. This also came in a standard colour Black, although again other colours were available including Lacquer Red, Jade Green and Ivory. The 300 Type Tele used the Tele No 164 Handset and had new internal equipment. A variety of different instruments based around this design was produced to suit varying purposes.
Telephone 706 1959 to 1980's The Tele 706 was designed jointly by Ericsson's Telephones Ltd, The GPO Engineering Department and the Council of Industrial Design. It featured new ideas already used in several telephones introduced during the previous decade.
The 706 was at last a truly modern looking telephone. It had smooth curves and ergonomic design, was lightweight, colourful, and versatile. The same telephone could be used for many applications by changing the removable dial surround and also had a blanking plate covering a hole which could be removed to allow different switches to be fitted. Inside it contained the latest circuit technology including a plug-in current regulator and option of printed circuit board wiring (see below).
The Tele 706 was available in 7 colours ... Two-tone Green, Two-tone Grey, Topaz Yellow, Concorde Blue, Lacquer Red, Black, Ivory. Antique telephones on the modern networkMost telephones can be used on the modern network with a professional conversion. It is worth considering an overhaul of the instrument at the same time as most equipment used electro-mechanical dialling pulses and high REN value bells. Of course, with antique telephones you must be cautious about what you buy and to ensure the instrument is authentic. We can offer a professional sales and restoration service, all telephones are genuine GPO British Telephones. Why not visit my shop The Telephone Box www.antiquetelephones.org.uk
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