12-09-2019, 10:18 AM
I once paid a visit to STC Harlow - to collect a very nice microphone - but whether it was actually made there, I don't know.
It was a particular memorable visit. I walked into reception to find an empty room with a desk covered with a sheet of plate glass and a Trimphone standing on it.
Under the glass was a list of names and departments with their extension numbers alongside. I looked up the name I'd been given and lifted the receiver of the Trimphone ...
Now the Trimphone had originally been designed for push button dialling but there just weren't any suitably equipped exchanges (I only ever encountered one - this was back in the early 70s). So the Trimphone was redesigned to accommodate a conventional dial - although it had a special luminous dial for ease of use in the dark - and, of course, it was made by STC!
... I inserted my finger into the first number of the extension I wanted and turned the dial - except that the dial didn't turn! Because of its design origins, it didn't have the weight of all other phones of the time so, when I attempted to turn the dial, the phone just skated across the smooth glass and crashed to the floor!
I picked it up and fortunately it was still working. I grasped it firmly with my left hand and dialled the number with the right!
As I left, I couldn't help wondering how many other visitors had a similar experience!
It was a particular memorable visit. I walked into reception to find an empty room with a desk covered with a sheet of plate glass and a Trimphone standing on it.
Under the glass was a list of names and departments with their extension numbers alongside. I looked up the name I'd been given and lifted the receiver of the Trimphone ...
Now the Trimphone had originally been designed for push button dialling but there just weren't any suitably equipped exchanges (I only ever encountered one - this was back in the early 70s). So the Trimphone was redesigned to accommodate a conventional dial - although it had a special luminous dial for ease of use in the dark - and, of course, it was made by STC!
... I inserted my finger into the first number of the extension I wanted and turned the dial - except that the dial didn't turn! Because of its design origins, it didn't have the weight of all other phones of the time so, when I attempted to turn the dial, the phone just skated across the smooth glass and crashed to the floor!
I picked it up and fortunately it was still working. I grasped it firmly with my left hand and dialled the number with the right!
As I left, I couldn't help wondering how many other visitors had a similar experience!
