Party lines were fun sometimes. Random nosy neighbors used to listen in to conversations on ours. If you wanted to know which neighbor you just deliberately set it up between you and a friend and made up a really juicy piece of nonsense gossip. You told this gossip to the friend on the phone then sat back and waited to see who repeated it. Or better yet, you’d fabricate ‘half’ a really really good story, leave off the name then stop just before the punch line or name reveal and say “Oh I think someone might be listening in, hear that? Come over and I’ll tell you the rest in person” then both hang up. Guaranteed to drive the rude eaves dropper totally insane.
Yep. 20-party line, we heard 10 parties. The operator manually rang the number. Ours was four short rings. Neighbors were always listening in. Once somebody left their phone off the hook for two days.
Years ago I heard an NPR report on the shutting down of the last non-switched phone line in the U.S., meaning you had to ask the operator for any connection. With a Bell Tel. supervisor already on the line, the reported asked the operator to connect her to such-and-such a town. The transaction:“What number please?” “Four.”long pause.“That is not a complete number.”Then the supervisor came on to tell the operator to put the call through. End of an era.
I remember 6-digit phone numbers in Hawaii, and exchanges on the mainland (example: HIllside3-5555, where the ‘H’ and ‘I’ were both on the ‘4’ key; thus 443-5555).
We still use a landline. After Sandy the cell phones didn’t work as the towers were down. Thanks to the “ancient” copper wire line phone we insist on keeping we had perfect landline service!
At least once a year I have to argue with Verizon that I don’t want to switch to digital service for just this reason. When we needed repairs a couple of years ago on the lines (animals chew on them) they twice sent someone to instead switch our service and we refused.
Rista about 10 years ago
Party lines were fun sometimes. Random nosy neighbors used to listen in to conversations on ours. If you wanted to know which neighbor you just deliberately set it up between you and a friend and made up a really juicy piece of nonsense gossip. You told this gossip to the friend on the phone then sat back and waited to see who repeated it. Or better yet, you’d fabricate ‘half’ a really really good story, leave off the name then stop just before the punch line or name reveal and say “Oh I think someone might be listening in, hear that? Come over and I’ll tell you the rest in person” then both hang up. Guaranteed to drive the rude eaves dropper totally insane.
sottwell about 10 years ago
Yep. 20-party line, we heard 10 parties. The operator manually rang the number. Ours was four short rings. Neighbors were always listening in. Once somebody left their phone off the hook for two days.
pschearer Premium Member about 10 years ago
Years ago I heard an NPR report on the shutting down of the last non-switched phone line in the U.S., meaning you had to ask the operator for any connection. With a Bell Tel. supervisor already on the line, the reported asked the operator to connect her to such-and-such a town. The transaction:“What number please?” “Four.”long pause.“That is not a complete number.”Then the supervisor came on to tell the operator to put the call through. End of an era.
e.groves about 10 years ago
Sarah is always on call in Mayberry.
cabalonrye about 10 years ago
Wow, I didn’t even know those existed. I don’t think they had that in my country.
Comic Minister Premium Member about 10 years ago
Including Zack you know.
Lamberger about 10 years ago
I remember 6-digit phone numbers in Hawaii, and exchanges on the mainland (example: HIllside3-5555, where the ‘H’ and ‘I’ were both on the ‘4’ key; thus 443-5555).
Keith Messamer about 10 years ago
Careful, Mr. Belmont, you’re talking about deep time.
jeanie5448 about 10 years ago
my first job in 1967 included answering an old fashion plug switch board. It was very confusing.
mafastore about 10 years ago
We still use a landline. After Sandy the cell phones didn’t work as the towers were down. Thanks to the “ancient” copper wire line phone we insist on keeping we had perfect landline service!
At least once a year I have to argue with Verizon that I don’t want to switch to digital service for just this reason. When we needed repairs a couple of years ago on the lines (animals chew on them) they twice sent someone to instead switch our service and we refused.