PHONES: More of the 1903 story about Bell Telephone’s new system in Bradford, today about troubleshooting and operation.

“Another feature of the new system, of no little importance, is that in case of subscribers’ lines being crossed or grounded, the fact is instantly known at the central office. If a lamp glows and in answer thereto the operator fails to get a response, it is known that there is trouble on the line, which fact is at once reported to the “trouble department” for investigation and repair. By the old magnetic system it was necessary for the subscriber to report by mail or otherwise, that he was unable to call the central office, which oftentimes involved much delay.

“From this brief description it will be seen that the operation of the new system is largely automatic, as each step taken both by the subscriber and by the operator accomplishes several things at once. The lamps give better signals than the old indicators, a very desirable feature in a large exchange. Under the new system the operation of the telephone service is more rapid, more accurate and, generally speaking, smoother and more agreeable to all concerned.

“Of the actual machinery required to operate this most ingenious system we fear a detailed account is beyond us. It is highly interesting to observe, however, that while the subscribers’ instrument is greatly simplified by the disappearance of the battery and hand generator, the machinery at the central office is greatly increased in complexity and volume. The switchboard itself, with its mass of cables and connections, and its myriad of switches and rows of cords and plugs and levers, is as complicated as ever, but there is a collection of auxiliary apparatus that would puzzle anyone but an expert telephone engineer to name the usages of.”

To be continued…