19th century
Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum
Rabat, Morocco
The telephone appeared in the second part of the 19th century, when the possibility of transmitting speech electrically was discovered. In Morocco, Mulay Hasan I introduced telephone lines as part of his promotion of infrastructure.
Photograph of the installation of the telephone exchange in Tangier
1883
Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum
Rabat, Morocco
The first telephone exchange in Tangier was installed in 1883. Events like this were documented by photographs representing more than just routine technical works: two major inventions, photography and the telephone, celebrated reciprocally.
Switchboard (Telefon Santrali)
1895
Istanbul Postal Museum
Istanbul, Turkey
When the telephone was introduced it was not yet possible for callers to contact people directly. Callers had to be connected via a switchboard like this one.
The young ladies of the telephones: a view of a Parisian telephone exchange
1904
National Library of France
Paris, France
The telephone was another 19th-century invention celebrated in France with the publication of prints and photographs. They also portrayed the social changes brought about by the new inventions, in particular a new social class of women employees.
Cordless telephone; receiver with three pipes
1919
National Library of France
Paris, France
Early in the 20th century, the invention of the telephone was following further experimental directions. The idea of wireless telephone communication had already appeared in those years, and it was an object of study, despite the uncomfortable equipment.
Photograph of the extension of the telephone network in Tangier
1920
Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum
Rabat, Morocco
The installation of the telephone line was started in Morocco in 1883 and continued until 1925.
1920
Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum
Rabat, Morocco
The installation of telephone lines began in Morocco in 1883 and various models of telephone entered Moroccan society. The candlestick telephone had a long stand, a microphone and a receiver. The accuracy of the technology developed side by side with the appropriateness of the design.
Photograph showing maintenance of the telephone network in Tangier
1923
Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum
Rabat, Morocco
The installation of the telephone line was started in Morocco in 1883 and continued until 1925.