Beckfoot Telephone - DIAL?


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Posted by Ed Kiser on September 04, 2006 at 19:03:16 from 64.12.116.6 user Kisered.

We have seen when posting to TarBoard the "FELLSIDE 75" sticker
by the telephone, which also provides info as to how to access
various services of the telephone, by DIAL "0" for "Emergency"
as well as DIALING other three letter codes for other services.

This set of instructions tells the user to DIAL, as if the rotary
dial telephone was being used at that time, yet when CF actually
had to call up Jolys in PP when High Tops caught on fire, he
was talking to the operator, giving her the number to be called.
He was not DIALING at all.

In PP CH33, we see CF making that call.
------------
Captain Flint took off the receiver and violently joggled the
bracket. Mrs. Blackett, her face white, was gone. There was
no time for Dick to make up his mind what he ought to do.
The telephone had answered. Captain Flint was talking.

"Fellside, seven five... No... Not nine... FIVE... F for
fool. I for idiot... yes... SEVEN FIVE... Hullo... Hullo...
That Jolys... Jim Turner speaking... Oh yes. Back
today... Listen! Fire on High Topps... What?... Yes...
Got a good hold by the look of it... Blowing from
Dundale... Southerly... Right..."
------------

This description does not suggest he is using a dial phone.

I question the "sticker," shown when we post to TarBoard, as
to its description of the DIAL features. In PP, there is
no graphic showing this round sticker, only a rectangular
text block, but no words regarding DIAL. (Or have I just
missed seeing it?)

Here is what that block of information says:
------------

DROUGHT FELL FIRES

IN CASE OF FIRE RING FELLSIDE 75

T.E. JOLYS (LT.-COL.)
------------

The request is to RING a number, not DIAL a number.

It would see that the concept of DIALING is perhaps a bit
incorrect, as such a calling technique came about a bit
later in the advances of telephone technology.

What is the origin of that ROUND graphic with DIALING
instructions we see when posting to TarBoard?

The study of trivia and details is all part of understading
All Things Ransome.

Ed Kiser, Kentucky


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