Hand Set Collection

Bakelite telephone. Dial telephone with bakelite casing. Bakelite, the first plastic to be used for widespread commercial purposes

Policeman at a police call box
A policeman on the phone at a police public call box on a London street

Little Girl on the phone at a Trade Show
A little girl on the telephone seated on the desk of a stand at a Trade Show. The Midlands Gas Board stand can be seen in the background. Photograph by Norman Synge Waller Budd

Eric Ravilious
11th anniversary poster for the Golden Cockerel Press, an Englishfine pressoperating between 1920 and 1961. The private press made handmade limited editions of classic works

Fire Brigade telephone
An emergency telephone for contacting the fire brigade, housed in a glass case. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Cross-section diagram of telephone receiver connected to red button phone, rotary dial to the side

Early Telephone
An early table-top telephone with receiver and transmitter incorporated in the handset Date: circa 1900

Morses telegraph transmitter
Morses telegraph. Historical artwork of the transmitter of a telegraph machine used to send Morse code. The operator tapped out the code on the button at upper left

Text message

Mobile telephone text messaging (SMS). Conceptual computer artwork of the worldwide use of mobile telephones to send text messages (envelope symbols)

Conceptual image of global telephone communication
Global communication. Conceptual image depicting global communication by telephone. The image shows several mobile telephone handsets arranged to mimic the skyline of a major city

Worldwide mobile telephone use
Worldwide use of mobile (cellular) telephones, conceptual computer artwork

Mobile telephone hate mail. Conceptual computer artwork of snakes and a mobile telephone being used to send text messages (envelope symbols)

Man using the Fake Space virtual reality system
Vitual reality handset. View of a man using a " Fake Space" handset. The irregular light-ray running from centre left to far right illustrates the manoeuvrability of the system

Telephone handset and keypad

Telephone earpiece

Desk telephone

Rotary-dial telephone
Plastic rotary-dial telephone photographed at Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum, Pontiac, Illinois

Rotary-dial telephone with coinbox
Historic Bell System rotary-dial public telephone with coinbox, photographed at Route 66 Car Club museum in St Clair, Missouri

Telephone in airport lounge
Public telephone in lounge at Terminal 2E, Paris Charles de Gaulle airport

Phone sign

Poster advertising the telephone
Poster designed by E McKnight Kauffer, encouraging people to use the telephone to make contact with the world

Woman making a telephone call, West Berlin, 1948
Photograph showing a female citizen of West Berlin making a call from a public telephone box, August 1948. At that time, the fact that this telephone had a steel cable to secure the handset to

Hand Holds a Telephone
A hand with manicured finger nails hold up a white telephone handset

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"From Bakelite to Mobile: The Evolution of Hand Sets in Communication" Step back in time with the iconic Bakelite telephone, a symbol of early telecommunication. Its sturdy construction and classic design paved the way for future hand sets. In bustling cities, a policeman at a police call box relied on his trusty hand set to report emergencies swiftly. With its reliable connection, lives were saved and crimes were thwarted. At a Trade Show, a little girl excitedly chatted away on her first phone call using an innovative hand set. This moment marked the beginning of endless possibilities and connections through technology. On office desks worldwide, the desk telephone became an essential tool for business communication. From important calls to casual chats, this hand set was always within reach. Renowned artist Eric Ravilious captured the beauty of simplicity in his artwork featuring fire brigade telephones. These rugged devices ensured swift coordination during emergencies when every second mattered. A cross-section diagram showcased how telephone receivers connected seamlessly to red button phones or rotary dials on their sides. This ingenious design allowed people to effortlessly communicate across distances. The early telephone revolutionized long-distance communication by transmitting voices over wires like Morse's telegraph transmitter had done with messages before it. A breakthrough that brought loved ones closer than ever before. With the advent of mobile phones, hand sets took on new forms and functionalities. These portable devices empowered individuals with instant connectivity wherever they went – truly liberating communication from fixed locations. Conceptual images depicting global telephone communication emphasized how these handheld marvels bridged continents and cultures alike. Boundaries dissolved as conversations transcended borders effortlessly. As mobile phone use skyrocketed globally, society witnessed unprecedented levels of interconnectedness. People could now stay connected 24/7 - sharing moments, ideas, and emotions across vast distances with just one touch. From humble beginnings such as Bakelite telephones and police call boxes to modern-day mobile phones, hand sets have played a pivotal role in shaping the way we communicate.