How did they come up with the name for switchboard machines? This is a question that isn’t frequently posed as the modern day phrase that is commonly used is telephone systems. Indeed, the techies are now moving onto other descriptors to describe these assets, which reflect the transmission protocol. We get enquiries from people wanting a VoIP box or an ISDN system.

Going back to black and white movie days, you might have seen telephonists seated in front of vertical sheets of dolls eyes. They would pick a spring loaded lead to plug into holes and thus connect two parties. The image of these switchboard machines that springs to mind is usually of a girl bearing a bee-hive hairdo sat at the GPO exchange.

When direct dialling was launched these operators became redundant because callers could dial numbers themselves. They no longer had to request the human being for a connection to Whitehall 1212 in order to be put through to the police at Scotland Yard.

But when it came to the earliest equipment to be deployed within businesses, it was switchboard machines that jumped to the rescue. Staff who ran this aging hardware speak fondly of it’s simplicity because it was so simple to see who was on the phone to which extension. For their period of existence they were relatively progressive.

For example it was possible for the receptionist to barge-in to or earwig on selected conversation. We expect such functionality in telecoms nowadays but there was a time window when it wasn’t offered, after the demise of the dated switchboard machines. Some manufacturers like Samsung make a big deal out of barging being an available feature.

Even after the evolution of digital telecommunications there are those who still refer to the central answering position as the switchboard. The correct reference for these is actually an operator console but old habits die hard. You will hear folk talk of the lady on the switchboard even though these machines have advanced considerably.

To remain current, we should really learn the right terminology. This reduces confusion as there are too many references to switches in contemporary technology. The dominant use of the term switch, in the 21st century, applies to Ethernet hub and the outdated meaning is currently best avoided. Accuracy when stating what you want is key to saving valuable moments and averting ambiguity.



Danny Smith is the author of this article on Switchboard Machines. Find more information on Switchboard Phone Systems Average Prices here