Telephone Booth (Double)
Maker and role
New Zealand. Post Office Workshops, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1930s
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Object detail
Accession number
2005.60
Production period
Description
Double telephone booth made of wood and painted red. It is fitted with glass panels all around. It has a green sharply sloping gabled roof, squared off on top. On one of the front panels is an etched coloured glazing announcing it as a PUBLIC TELEPHONE. The entire booth is partitioned off in the middle enabling 2 users simultaneously at any given time.
Brief History
At the turn of the 20th century telecommunication companies began installing phone booths in major cities, although they weren't popular initially as people were reluctant to make a private call on a public thoroughfare. By the 1910s however public phone booths were becoming commonplace in many industrialised countries.
This style of booth with wide eaves is seen in Australia, especially in areas that are prone to heavy rainfall. The New Zealand Post Office had a policy of designing and building special boxes for specific places such as tourist destinations and national parks. It is possible that this booth, dating to the 1930s, is a design specific to Auckland and Northland, as the 1937 Post Office plan of double boxes does not have the gabled roof and wide eaves.
This style of booth with wide eaves is seen in Australia, especially in areas that are prone to heavy rainfall. The New Zealand Post Office had a policy of designing and building special boxes for specific places such as tourist destinations and national parks. It is possible that this booth, dating to the 1930s, is a design specific to Auckland and Northland, as the 1937 Post Office plan of double boxes does not have the gabled roof and wide eaves.
Marks
PUBLIC TELEPHONE Printed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
New Zealand. Post Office Workshops. Circa 1930s. Telephone Booth (Double), 2005.60. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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