| T E L E P H O N E E X C
H A N G E E 1997 R |
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| Dedicated to Harold William Chenery (Night Telephonist) | |
N O T I C E S : 22nd May 2011 - Another new book - Transmitting Signals...
Transmitting Signals is the early and working life of R. Neil M. Alston and his career with Post Office Telephones. Serving with the Royal Corps of Signals whilst doing National Service - training and on active service in the Canal Zone during the Suez crisis in 1952-53. The GPO of the 50s and 60s and the changes that privatisation with BT bought about. In depth details of equipment, including telephones, exchanges, telex and faxes. Written in his own words, during his retirement, these memoirs show what life was like in the ever changing technological world of communications.
Buy a copy via www.lulu.com/spotlight/nevalstonatbtinternetdotcom
If you are interested in reading the history of the manufacturing and repair side of the GPO, this 70-page softback book (with 5 pages of colour photos) "Post Office/British Telecom Factories 1870-1994" is the one!
The book is £6.20 plus p & p. A second print run means that you can pre-order with confidence exclusively through YPD Books via this link:
www.ypdbooks.com/26-history
GPO Sites
Detailing the history of the General Post Office and its Headquarters in London, in bygone times...
Photo: GPO South - Faraday Building on the site of the Doctors' Commons.
Light Straw ATE
Enter the Main Exchange where you can explore the history of the UK Telephone Service, the operators, the equipment, the engineers and the subscribers...
Photo: A typical exchange MDF.
Light Straw TAO
In the 1970s, all telecommunication services for a geographical area were the responsibility of the Telephone Area Office (TAO)...
Photo: Plymouth TAO circa 1980.
Light Straw TEC
The Telecoms Engineering Centres, were originally home to the fleet of Telecom vehicles in the days before the 'at home parking' schemes. TECs were also a stock centre for telephones, cables, telegraph poles and all sorts of engineering sundries.
Photo: Morris J2 Engineering Utility - Post Office Vehicle Club.
GPO Telephones
The GPO Timeline - a brief history of key organisational and name changes throughout the years...
Photo: General Post Office - The whole picture - postal, telegraph, telephones.
Payphones: The End of the Line?
A brief look at some of the telephone kiosks which were once a common sight on the streets... And modern ones too!
Photo: K2s and K6s awaiting restoration.
STC
If you worked for Standard Telephones & Cables you will be interested in this website which looks at the history of STC at New Southgate, London.
Light Straw is compiled using resources in the public domain:
Books, press releases, newspapers, memories and historical contributions from telecommunications staff and organisations past and present...
...as well as current organisations who are shaping tomorrow's history.
All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.