Collections | Great Inventions of the 19th Century | Postal services and telecommunications | Telephone networks and telephones [8 Objects]

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Introduction to the Chapter

Skeleton telephone

19th century

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

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.

Skeleton telephone

19th century

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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Photograph of the installation of the telephone exchange in Tangier

1883

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

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

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 Justification for this item

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.

Switchboard (Telefon Santrali)

1895

Istanbul Postal Museum

Istanbul, Turkey

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The young ladies of the telephones: a view of a Parisian telephone exchange

1904

National Library of France

Paris, France

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 Justification for this item

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

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 Justification for this item

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.

Cordless telephone; receiver with three pipes

1919

National Library of France

Paris, France

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Photograph of the extension of the telephone network in Tangier

1920

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

The installation of the telephone line was started in Morocco in 1883 and continued until 1925.

Candlestick telephone

1920

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

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.

Candlestick telephone

1920

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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Photograph showing maintenance of the telephone network in Tangier

1923

Itisalat al-Maghrib Museum

Rabat, Morocco

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 Justification for this item

The installation of the telephone line was started in Morocco in 1883 and continued until 1925.

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Introduction to the Chapter