From: lfsheldon@gmail.com

On 4/13/2015 10:47, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
>> The Phila schools utilized their 32A38 system, which apparently was
>> compact and inexpensive; it offered up to 100 stations but only one
>> channel, ideal for  > school buildings where there was light
>> intercom traffic.  It fit into a small cabinet.
>
> Because these systems utilized a rotary Strowger switch, some
> maintenance was involved, such as annual lubrication, and perhaps
> some spring adjustment every few years.  Strowger switches had a long
> lifespan.  However, the systems also required a rectifier for power,
> and I don't know the lifespan or maintenance, if any, of rectifiers
> built in 1950.  Some were "selenium".
>
> Also, some very large schools, such as certain big high schools, may
> have used a manual cord switchboard instead of a dial system.  The
> big schools might have had more than 100 telephones and needed more
> than one channel for communication.  A cord board, though requiring a
> part-time operator, could provide that economically.
>
>
> But not to worry--I believe these systems were all replaced in the
> 1980s or 1990s after a service life of 30-40 years.  The new systems,
> unlike the old, could connect into the outside telephone network.
> Thus, a teacher wishing to call a parent, could do so from her
> classroom instead of needing to go to the school office.
>

The high school I attended in the 1950s had identical cord boards
sitting side-by-side--one labeled "Automatic Electric", the other
"Western Electric".  The offices and such had Pacific Telephone
instruments connected to one cord-board, the same offices plus
department heads and selected (don't know how) othe4r teachers had the
funky, odd sets connected to the other.

The (full time) PBX operator was not supposed to complete calls from one
board to the other, but for certain selected teachers (ibid.) she did.

The high school where my mother worked had just the Pacific Telephone board.

In later years she moved to a brand-new junior high school that had the
neatest arrangement I have seen to date--they had non-bell service so it
was probably AE and it ran on a closet full of Stroweger switches.

The neat thing was that the instruments were all the same, including the
clerk assigned the "PBX" duties.  The only visible "PBXish" thing was
that her desk also had a small box with keys and lights (that weren't
touched much--the only one I remember is the "Night Connections"
key--about which mote in a moment.

The neat thing during the day time was that if there was an incoming
call the clerk-assigned answered it.  If another call came in while she
was working he first (or if she was away from her desk) somebody else
within ear-shot could dial a digit ("8" I think) and get the next call
in order.

When the "Night Connections" key was operated, all of the phones on
campus would ring and the call could be picked up by dialing the magic
digit.

--
The unique Characteristics of System Administrators:

The fact that they are infallible; and,

The fact that they learn from their mistakes.


Quis custodiet ipsos custodes

--- SoupGate/W32 v1.03
 * Origin: LiveWire BBS -=*=- UseNet FTN Gateway (1:2320/1)