Dolls Eye Indicators - Telephone Tuesdays

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  • čas přidán 13. 05. 2024
  • Today on Telephone Tuesday @hackmodular talks about Dolls Eye Indicators!
    -----
    LMNC / Museum Patreon: / lookmumnocomputer
    Mitch / Hack Modular Patreon: / hackmodular
    ------
    We made a sample pack of lots of telephone exchange noises for you to use in your avant-garde ambient masterpieces.:-
    Get it here: this-museum-is-not-obsolete.c...
    ---------
    if you'd like to visit
    information / contact:-
    www.this-museum-is-not-obsole...
    ---------
    THIS MUSEUM IS NOT OBSOLETE INSTAGRAM :-
    / thismuseumisnotobsolete
    ---------
    THANKUS HUMUNGOUSO to :-
    Bob
    Simeon Peebler
    3D6.Space
    Allen Kenneth William Paley
    michaelian
    Markku Rontu
    Jason Kostempski
    TheTechromancer
    Space Pope
    Cameron Luteraan
    Ande Spenser
    Arnix T-Bone
    Aaron Ritter
    David Boudreau
    casey
    Polykit
    Matthew W
    Blakwater
    David Dolphin
    Matt Followell (PDP-7)
    Miles Flavel
    ---------
    PayPal :-
    www.paypal.me/lookmumnocomputer
    #vintage #telephoneexchange #restoration #telephony #telephonetuesdays
  • Věda a technologie

Komentáře • 86

  • @Graham_Rule
    @Graham_Rule Před 21 dnem +41

    These indicators are also tactile. It was quite common to employ blind people, often ex-servicemen, as operators. When one of these eyeballs was activated and the bell sounded they could run a finger along the panel and feel which one had the metal ball rather than just a hole.

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Ah, I had heard a fair few stories of blind operators, seems so obvious now! Cheers for sharing

  • @MattMcIrvin
    @MattMcIrvin Před 18 dny +5

    My father grew up in a small town in western Nebraska that bought automated telephone direct-dialing equipment in the 1960s, but waited to install it until the town's switchboard operator was ready to retire. For years, he had to argue with long-distance operators whenever he called home, telling them that, no, he couldn't dial directly. And then they'd get upset that he was chatting with the town operator about goings-on around town and whether his parents were in. The last time I visited the place, they had the old switchboard on display at the town museum--I think it used lamps instead of doll's-eye indicators, but there was definitely a patch panel. There was also a phone book, in which I was able to look up my grandfather's phone number: it had three digits.

  • @alexcranmer8317
    @alexcranmer8317 Před 21 dnem +6

    There’s something spooky about all those dolls eye indicators all going on and off like that. Makes it look like a scene from a horror film shortly before something untoward is about to happen.

  • @tommcewan7936
    @tommcewan7936 Před 14 dny +1

    03:02 Wow, the tapering curved armature on those things is a *really* clever, elegant design; it looks almost as if it shouldn't work, but evidently it does, and absolutely beautifully.

  • @Nev-1957
    @Nev-1957 Před 21 dnem +8

    Thanks for another great video. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to your wonderful museum. Cheers from Neville and Barbara - Australia.

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny +1

      Hey! I’m really sorry Neville, I remembered your name wrong! Please forgive me. Was great to meet and talk to you both. Hope the rest of your trip was fun!

    • @Nev-1957
      @Nev-1957 Před 20 dny +1

      No offence taken. We enjoyed our time at the museum and meeting all of you.

  • @LogicalNiko
    @LogicalNiko Před 19 dny +2

    Yep the Tip and Ring connector (TR) was invented by Charles Scribner, and was first put into mass use at either the Boston, Massachusetts or in New Haven, Connecticut constructed in 1877 (there is some debate about which one is "first" as one was constructed first but the other served customers first). Schriber ended up inventing and patenting many of the early telephone system standards.

  • @zebo-the-fat
    @zebo-the-fat Před 21 dnem +9

    Never seen that type of display... very neat!

  • @dieseldragon6756
    @dieseldragon6756 Před 18 dny +1

    As soon as you showed us that operators' panel, I immediately remembered it from older exchange videos I've been watching here over time. With todays materials and the ability to do this with lower power requirements than the GPO equipment you have, this could be a good way of approaching flip-dot displays in high wind/vibration environments! 😁
    That said, I'm not so sure about these fangled „Telephone Exchanges“. Openreach have several in my area and I've been _trying_ to exchange my old Nokia 3310 for an iPhone 15...But they never answer the bloomin' door! 🙃

  • @CableWrestler
    @CableWrestler Před 6 dny +1

    These were fun to play with as a kid

  • @hal_aetus
    @hal_aetus Před 18 dny +1

    I look forward to playing with this in a couple of days! We’ll be visiting (from the US) on Sunday. So… C U Next Sunday!

  • @Wraithss
    @Wraithss Před 15 dny +1

    those are really neat. thanks man. from a heavy machinery mechanic in texas. i like the smaller intricate stuff more.

  • @robertkeddie
    @robertkeddie Před 20 dny +5

    The wasp nest at 1:42 was terrifying.

    • @doomsdayrule
      @doomsdayrule Před 20 dny

      Truly, I think it's the biggest I've seen

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny +1

      I’m just glad the wasps have moved out 😅

  • @jackiechan8840
    @jackiechan8840 Před 19 dny +2

    I'll come to museum one day I promise!
    You are an excellent presenter Mitch. Keep up the good work.

  • @codebeat4192
    @codebeat4192 Před 21 dnem +6

    Countdown: 10,9,8,7,6,5,3,2,1........ (activates confetti machine)..... HAPPY NEW YEAR! 😉👍

    • @dieseldragon6756
      @dieseldragon6756 Před 18 dny

      That has *definitely* got to happen! 🎉💡👍
      Just don't have me wire it up though. We want _confetti_ at the strike of the New Year...Not a _dead-short across two phases_ and a coffee being dispensed! ⚡☕😉

  • @linandy1
    @linandy1 Před 20 dny +2

    Cool man ! Nice to see people putting this old gear on display

  • @rivertees
    @rivertees Před 21 dnem +2

    I came across one of these exchanges when I joined Post Office Telephones in 1968.

  • @michaelhaig1317
    @michaelhaig1317 Před 18 dny +1

    Cool - and didn’t know about patch bays! Thanks

  • @daccrowell4776
    @daccrowell4776 Před 21 dnem +2

    Very cool stuff...sorta like the grandfather of nixies!
    Speaking of phone stuff, I was researching the grand old Western Electric audio systems, and I ran across a reference to strowger switch systems being used as a "mixer" for multichannel audio circa 1930. Apparently this was something that both WE and Warner Bros. was involved with, as the reference popped up in conjunction with WB's "Vitaphone" system for syncing phonograph audio to picture.
    Not sure where you'd start on cobbling together such an interesting monstrosity, mainly since so much of the documentation from the olden days at Bell Labs seems to be scattered to the winds. Still, you guys know analog telephony AND electronic music systems, so if there ever was a bunch who could reconstruct something of that sort, it'd be you guys!

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Huh very interesting! Will have to investigate

  • @tombarry9897
    @tombarry9897 Před 21 dnem +2

    When I used one the doll’s eyes were extensions in the building. When you picked up your phone it dropped down and if you tapped the buttons it flipped up and down. The operator would answer and say “Don’t flash”.

    • @dieseldragon6756
      @dieseldragon6756 Před 18 dny +1

      Probably glad they didn't have my telephone on that system! It was a cheap one and the keypad failed about a year after I'd bought it. Doing _The British thing_ I didn't bother to replace it...I just dialled manually using the switchhook. 😇
      Once you had a bit of practice you could get the timing bang-on... *And* dial faster than the keypad would! 😁

    • @tombarry9897
      @tombarry9897 Před 18 dny +1

      @@dieseldragon6756 yes but zeros and nines were difficult!

    • @dieseldragon6756
      @dieseldragon6756 Před 18 dny

      @@tombarry9897 In the UK those were 9 and 10 pulses respectively, and pretty easy to do reliably once you'd picked up the knack for it! ☎😇
      (It depends on where you're from: In Aus/NZ pulse/loop-disconnect dialling works completely differently to in Europe, which is why Aus uses 000 as the emergency service number.)

  • @SubTroppo
    @SubTroppo Před 21 dnem +1

    If I get back to the UK next year I hope to come, so keep up the good work (and work faster so there is more to see).

  • @himselfe
    @himselfe Před 21 dnem +3

    These would be useful for making some sort of electromechanical countdown. For what, I dunno, but it'd be cool!

    • @codebeat4192
      @codebeat4192 Před 21 dnem

      10,9,8,7,6,5,3,2,1........ (activates confetti machine)..... HAPPY NEW YEAR! 😉👍

  • @mickcoleman5396
    @mickcoleman5396 Před 20 dny +1

    Dolls eyes indicators were used on small switchboards by blind operators as they can feel the lines that were calling.

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Another win for electro-magnets =)

  • @Richardincancale
    @Richardincancale Před 20 dny +2

    Very cool! You could slow down the flipping a bit by sticking a capacitor (try 10 uF and experiment) across each relay coil to enhance the experience!

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Indeed, perhaps variable speed would be fun too…

  • @TheEmbeddedHobbyist
    @TheEmbeddedHobbyist Před 21 dnem +1

    Nice Racal frequency counter @ 0:26 got one of them sitting on my shelf in the toy room.

  • @lwilton
    @lwilton Před 17 dny

    That's a right clever display for those old indicators!
    I hope that waterfall display is triggered and only runs a few cycles on its own. Those indicators weren't designed for continuous movement, and are likely to wear out the pivot bearings very quickly if they sit there flipping for hours.

  • @andyscott5978
    @andyscott5978 Před 21 dnem +1

    Are those 19inch rack modules?! Loved the video and love the work you’re doing.

  • @curtishoffmann6956
    @curtishoffmann6956 Před 21 dnem +1

    Never heard of doll's eye indicators before. Need to put them on Furby.

  • @dcallan812
    @dcallan812 Před 21 dnem +2

    Blinking heck, 🤣
    Great update 2x👍

  • @klassisch3039
    @klassisch3039 Před 21 dnem +2

    Wow great video! Really interesting.

  • @jonathanpalmer5505
    @jonathanpalmer5505 Před 21 dnem +1

    My friend is coming down from the Midlands to visit you soon. I'm very jealous.

  • @theawfulmrbird
    @theawfulmrbird Před 21 dnem +1

    Cool stuff - need to visit you if i am in the UK again

  • @ShellacScrubber
    @ShellacScrubber Před 21 dnem +7

    fabulous stuff !!

  • @ianhighley-zo3es
    @ianhighley-zo3es Před 21 dnem +1

    Very cool. Did not realise that they were that old.

  • @KeritechElectronics
    @KeritechElectronics Před 21 dnem +1

    Beautidul and very interesting - I've never heard of these. Damn cool stuff.

  • @derkeksinator17
    @derkeksinator17 Před 20 dny +2

    I love the display case. It's missing the Philips E1T though. I do have a valve based counter with 3 of them, although I'm certain that at least one of the E1Ts is defective. It definitely needs some TLC, but everything is there. If you're interested, I could send it over to you.

    • @THISMUSEUMISNOTOBSOLETE
      @THISMUSEUMISNOTOBSOLETE  Před 20 dny +1

      that does sound fabulous! we have a spare e1t in the display it just so happens :O

    • @derkeksinator17
      @derkeksinator17 Před 20 dny

      @@THISMUSEUMISNOTOBSOLETE I'll get in touch with you guys within the next couple of weeks. I'll have to dig it out of my parents basement, you know the way.

  • @MichaelEhling
    @MichaelEhling Před 21 dnem +1

    Clicky-click-click! Quite satisfying, thank you.

  • @Bills200
    @Bills200 Před 15 dny +1

    I have a GPO 1+2 switchboard and with the dolls eyes, it is a buzzer that sounds when a handset of an extension handset is picked up

  • @hippynurd
    @hippynurd Před 20 dny +2

    LOL see you next tuesday!

    • @hippynurd
      @hippynurd Před 20 dny

      Its all about the charisma, uniquness, nerve, and talent!

  • @youbecha64
    @youbecha64 Před 21 dnem +1

    Oh man...I didn't realize that was a working demo.

  • @SuLokify
    @SuLokify Před 17 dny

    Need to see Bad Apple playing on some of those

  • @FrancSchiphorst
    @FrancSchiphorst Před 21 dnem +1

    If you have another one then perhaps link it to a phone dial so you see the eyes rolling with the dial. Would make for a nice sweep i think.

  • @sivoltage
    @sivoltage Před 21 dnem +1

    wonderful

  • @R3TR0R4V3
    @R3TR0R4V3 Před 21 dnem +1

    Those are Rad 😎

  • @ibanezleftyclub
    @ibanezleftyclub Před 21 dnem +1

    I’d love to see this as a working basic calculator output display. Probably would have to make 10 a 0.

  • @U014B
    @U014B Před 21 dnem +2

    Now wire it up to work like a VU meter.

  • @ianbelletti6241
    @ianbelletti6241 Před 15 dny

    Try adding a buzzer to one of the relays. If you add microelectronic controls you could set up a secondary button so that it could play 765-4309 on the speaker and the numbers move in sync to the music.

  • @sparkyprojects
    @sparkyprojects Před 21 dnem +3

    The reason they drop out quicker is because you remove power to all the relays at the same time
    I built the same circuit using normal 3000 type relays, each relay would operate in sequence, but would drop out at the same time making a big clunk sound

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Very nearly the same time, though the switch contacts don’t disconnect immediately due to being springy, so there’s still a slight delay between them. It’s a fun circuit - bit like dominos falling over!

  • @zfrenchy1716
    @zfrenchy1716 Před 21 dnem

    how the museum going, can we have a short video about it ?

  • @mzaite
    @mzaite Před 20 dny +1

    Black eyes, dead eyes, like doll’s eyes.

  • @DasGanon
    @DasGanon Před 21 dnem

    Really cool! Didn't know those existed!
    A question I have though is, what's the dimensions of the front of it? It looks like it's rack mount, and I'm curious if it's the same 19" rack that modern networking, server, and music equipment use

  • @whitelion7976
    @whitelion7976 Před 14 dny

    Does lowering the voltage on the relays alter the speed?

  • @Wtfinc
    @Wtfinc Před 21 dnem

    All the cool stuff is in the UK

  • @localhost4460
    @localhost4460 Před 21 dnem +2

    Why have this complicated mechanical display and not a light and a label? This is like a battleship to go fishing...

    • @kschleic9053
      @kschleic9053 Před 21 dnem +8

      At the time when this was in use, lightbulbs didn't have a very long lifespan, and used a lot of power per unit of light. Imagine maintaining an exchange with 20000 lightbulbs in it as the only indicator that someone is calling ... Every week 20 of them burn out and you have 20 angry customers wondering why their expensive telephone line isn't going through. Reliability was paramount, and this is much more reliable.

    • @localhost4460
      @localhost4460 Před 21 dnem +1

      @@kschleic9053 gotcha! That makes a lot of sense

  • @AMPProf
    @AMPProf Před 21 dnem

    SO IT'S not The Little people?? Awww.. Hmm 🤔 🤔 IST THE CLOCK MAN!

  • @moshly64
    @moshly64 Před 21 dnem

    You could make them run slower with some high value caps.

    • @hackmodular
      @hackmodular Před 20 dny

      Maybe variable speed would be a cool mod in time…

  • @o_-_o
    @o_-_o Před 21 dnem

    The electricity bill must be enormous.

    • @AnonymousAnarchist2
      @AnonymousAnarchist2 Před 21 dnem

      Im sure it is, but old telecom equipment was designed to run on next to nothing as far as electricity is concerned, thats why its all these clever electromechanicals rather then vacuum tubes.
      I dont know how Britan did it, but the USA had the entire system running off salt water batteries, that where a bit weaker then a potato battery.
      Like you grab a coin and an iron nail and stick it in a potato. Those. Powered all tellecoms in the USA for a while.

    • @alexcranmer8317
      @alexcranmer8317 Před 21 dnem +1

      UK exchanges used lead acid batteries to float mains electricity over and provide backup power when cut while the exchange generator started up.
      I was told that the old strowger exchanges used much more power at peak times than “modern” digital exchanges (my landline has just been switched to voip as they decommission my local exchange unit after 35ish years so not that modern ) but very little when few calls were being made, whereas digital exchanges power consumption was almost constant so the overall electricity used wasn’t much different.

    • @AMPProf
      @AMPProf Před 21 dnem

      BUZZY?? HMM wonder if they could get wind or solar

  • @AMPProf
    @AMPProf Před 21 dnem

    I'M NOT EVEN goona say it because I'm sure MI6 Already a prime Contact

  • @Bills200
    @Bills200 Před 15 dny

    C u next Tuesday, that is just rude 😂

  • @deadscenedotcom
    @deadscenedotcom Před 19 dny +1

    90% wasps' nest, LOL.