Telephone Services, switchboard, photo 1

Up through the 1960s, Appalachian State University (1967-current) used a switchboard telephone system. To transfer calls and incoming calls without known extensions were routed through the University switchboard, which manually directed them to their destination. Seen in this image is the switch board operator wearing a headset and sitting in front of a manual switch board system. The operator would transfer or route a call by plugging the corresponding phone line cable, visible at the base of the switch board, to the plug connecting to the desired office, seen above the switch board. Calls were then logged on the notepad to the right of the switch board. The edge of a vertical rolodex can be seen in the foreground on the right. In 1972, the system was retired in exchange for a more efficient Centrex system, where calls would go directly to individual offices or dormitories, and numbers were made available through the Boone telephone directory.

Technology

Staff

Appalachian State University

General Picture Files, 2004.040, Box 4, Switch Board, C14.2.1.4.

University Archives, Appalachian State University

JPEG

Photographs

English

Image

Appalachian State University

1960-1969

Series 6 -- Colleges, Departments, Offices, and Centers

1039_2004_040_A.jpg

The Appalachian State University Historical Photographs Digitization Project is supported with federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) funds made possible through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources through the North Carolina ECHO, 'Exploring Cultural Heritage Online' Digitization Grant Program.