I remember dial tones. And being tethered to a wall. My great aunt's Belmont phone number was copied into the family phone book with its exchange. I had to ask mom and dad for the first two numbers.
Do I miss being tethered to a wall? Hades no. But I "may have" started to indicate my number as a landline so I dont get blitzed with automated texts I dont want.
I remember our first phone number was 122M. We did not use the phone often, but one day I decided to call my friend George Rennie who lived down the street. The operator said, "Does your mother know you are using the phone?" I said no! but she placed the call anyway.
I remember when we went to dial. I was at a Red Sox game in Boston with my Dad. It was Shriners Day, and yes, Ted Williams was playing. I was more excited to get home and try the phone, than watch the game that day. I was so disappointed when we arrived home to find the phone company had not showed up to install the new phone. Now you tell me it was Sunday! That figures! I also remember that the folks that lived out on River Road all had a Lawrence exchange, Mudrock 3, and of course two of my best friends live out there. Long distance my foot!
I come from a family of veteran telephone engineers that gave their entire careers to the Bell Laboratories and NYNEX. In fact my great uncle Edwin Watkinson patented the push button dial pad. Thank you for the great article!
The first time I was allowed to answer the phone (which looked like the dollhouse phone) in the early 1950's, the caller announced he was Santa Clause! I immediately started yelling for my father who told be to take a message. I had a conversation with Santa at age 4 1/2! P.S. I had a party line where I lived until 2018 - which was $25/month and no other party on the line because everyone else went to a "private line". Phone company finally caught with me and told me I had no choice but to give it up. :-(
I was just shy of 7 years old when this change occured. Soon after, home alone, I tried it out, but not knowing anyone's number or how many digits to dial, I must have dialed 10-15 digits. Given the facts in your article, the woman's voice I suddenly heard must have been one of those "interceptors." Her calm voice said, "Hello, this is the Easter Bunny."
I hung up scared, and wondering to this day how that happened.
I remember dial tones. And being tethered to a wall. My great aunt's Belmont phone number was copied into the family phone book with its exchange. I had to ask mom and dad for the first two numbers.
Do I miss being tethered to a wall? Hades no. But I "may have" started to indicate my number as a landline so I dont get blitzed with automated texts I dont want.
I remember our first phone number was 122M. We did not use the phone often, but one day I decided to call my friend George Rennie who lived down the street. The operator said, "Does your mother know you are using the phone?" I said no! but she placed the call anyway.
I remember when we went to dial. I was at a Red Sox game in Boston with my Dad. It was Shriners Day, and yes, Ted Williams was playing. I was more excited to get home and try the phone, than watch the game that day. I was so disappointed when we arrived home to find the phone company had not showed up to install the new phone. Now you tell me it was Sunday! That figures! I also remember that the folks that lived out on River Road all had a Lawrence exchange, Mudrock 3, and of course two of my best friends live out there. Long distance my foot!
I come from a family of veteran telephone engineers that gave their entire careers to the Bell Laboratories and NYNEX. In fact my great uncle Edwin Watkinson patented the push button dial pad. Thank you for the great article!
The first time I was allowed to answer the phone (which looked like the dollhouse phone) in the early 1950's, the caller announced he was Santa Clause! I immediately started yelling for my father who told be to take a message. I had a conversation with Santa at age 4 1/2! P.S. I had a party line where I lived until 2018 - which was $25/month and no other party on the line because everyone else went to a "private line". Phone company finally caught with me and told me I had no choice but to give it up. :-(
I was just shy of 7 years old when this change occured. Soon after, home alone, I tried it out, but not knowing anyone's number or how many digits to dial, I must have dialed 10-15 digits. Given the facts in your article, the woman's voice I suddenly heard must have been one of those "interceptors." Her calm voice said, "Hello, this is the Easter Bunny."
I hung up scared, and wondering to this day how that happened.
Thanks for letting me figure that mystery out.💗😎