Summary
Alternative Name(s): Payphone, Public Telephone, Coin Telephone, Pay Phone
A coin-operated telephone typically used in public telephone boxes in Australia. This style of telephone, with single handset (with microphone and receiver) and an alphanumeric dial, was introduced from 1955 after a period of trials at the General Post Office in Melbourne. It has been adapted from an earlier configuration that used a carbon microphone in the casing above the dial, which is now blanked off. It originally used pennies but has been later upgraded to use 10 cent coins, after decimal currency was introduced in 1966. Public telephones were often subjected to vandalism and this type had been supreceded by the early 1980s.
Physical Description
Rectangular, green coloured, metal casing (with dial on front and keyhole) on top of cylindrical post. Alphanumeric dial and plastic handset. Sloping coin entry slot on top.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Purchase
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Manufactured For
Australia: Post Master General's Department (PMG), Victoria, Australia
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Manufacturer (Possible)
Workshops, Australia: Post Master General's Department (PMG), Victoria, Australia
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Inscriptions
On coin slot: ' Rest 10c here ', ' Dial the number ', ' On answer, roll coin to left ' On dial, handwritten on paper: ' EXT 8 '
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Exhibition Collection Management
137 mm (Length), 215 mm (Width), 667 mm (Height)
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Keywords
