The essentials in brief
Dial phones started to become obsolete in the 1980s and were mostly replaced by push-button phones by the 1990s. Read more here.
Yes, rotary phones can still be used with the help of a converter that allows them to be connected to a modern phone line.
A flip phone is also called a clamshell phone or a folder phone. Additional info here.
No old phone is just that. There are a lot of different kinds, each presenting a time in technological history. But what types, exactly? Going from there, we will delve further into the topic. What about dial phones, for example? When did they come to an end? Can they still be used today? And what did you call a flip phone?
Table of Contents
What types of old phones are there?
Throughout history there have been many types of old phones used by people all over the world. These phones range from old school phones to classic phones and vintage phones, each with its own unique features and characteristics. For example, there were:
- Old school phones: Old school phones refer to the earliest types of phones created, dating back to the 19th century. These phones were usually large, bulky and had rotary dials that were used to make calls. Some of the most common types of old school phones include the candlestick phone, which had a receiver that sat on top of a vertical stem, and the wall phone, which was typically mounted on a wall and had a crank that was used to make calls.
- Old landline phones: Old landline phones were popular in the 20th century and were used in homes and businesses for communication purposes. These phones were usually plugged into a wall socket and were powered by a telephone line that ran through the house or building. Some of the most common types of old landline phones include the rotary dial phone, which was similar to old school telephones, and the push button phone, which was more modern and had buttons instead of a rotary dial.
- Classic phones: Classic phones refer to phones that were popular in the 1980s and 1990s. These phones were usually made of plastic and had a more modern design than older phones. Some of the most popular types of classic phones include the cordless phone, which was portable and could be used in different parts of the house, and the flip phone, which had a hinge that allowed the phone to be folded in half for easy storage.
- Old vintage phones: Old vintage phones are phones that were popular in the early to mid-20th century and are now considered collectibles. These phones are usually made of wood or metal and have a unique design that reflects the period in which they were created. Some of the most popular types of old vintage phones include the crank phone, which was powered by a hand crank, and the candlestick phone, which was popular in the early 1900s.
- Payphones: These are public phones that were once found on street corners and in public areas. They require payment to use and were popular before the widespread use of mobile phones.
- Car phones: These were mobile phones that were installed in cars and were popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Bag phones: These were portable phones that were carried in a bag and used a cellular network to make calls. They were popular in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Caution: This list isn’t complete. Rather, it’s a list of selected examples.
Dial phones – a relict from the past
What are dial phones?
Dial telephones, also known as rotary telephones, were once the most common type of telephone used in homes and businesses around the world. These phones used a rotary dial that required the user to physically turn the dial to the desired number in order to make a call.
The beginning
Dial telephones were first introduced in the early 1900s and became the standard type of telephone by the mid-20th century. They remained in use for several decades, with some countries continuing to manufacture and use them well into the 1980s and 1990s. However, with the advent of push-button phones in the 1960s and 1970s, rotary dial phones began to lose popularity.
The fall
Push-button phones, also known as touch-tone phones, used a keypad with individual buttons to dial phone numbers. This technology was faster and more accurate than rotary dialing, and also allowed the creation of more advanced telephone systems, such as automated menus and call waiting. In the 1980s, cordless phones and answering machines also became popular, offering even more convenience and functionality to phone users.
As newer and more advanced telephony technologies emerged, rotary phones became increasingly obsolete. By the 1990s, rotary phones were largely phased out in favour of push-button phones and other more modern technologies. Many people replaced their old rotary phones with push-button models, and rotary phones began to disappear from homes and businesses alike.
Dial phones today
Rotary phones are a rare sight these days, but they remain a popular collector’s item for those interested in old telephony technology. Despite their outdated technology, rotary phones remain an important part of telephony history and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many people who remember using them in their heyday.
Did you know? Many antique and vintage shops sell refurbished rotary phones, and they are often used as decorative items or conversation pieces. So you can still buy these old phones for sale (or not).
Can a rotary phone still be used today?
The short answer: Yes, rotary phones can still be used.
Although they are no longer compatible with modern phone systems, there are still ways to connect them to a phone line and make calls. However, using a rotary phone requires a bit more effort and know-how than using a modern phone, and there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to use one.
Connecting a rotary phone to a phone line
To use a rotary phone, you first need to connect it to a phone line. If you have an old phone line in your house that is still working, you may be able to connect your rotary phone directly to it. However, if you do not have an old phone line, you will need to buy a converter to connect your rotary phone to a modern phone line.
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Usage of phone line converters
These converters are relatively easy to find online, and they usually plug into a standard phone socket and convert rotary dialing to touchtone dialing, which is compatible with modern phone systems. Some converters also include additional features, such as the ability to program speed dial numbers or adjust the ringing tone.
Dialing on a rotary phone
Using a rotary phone requires a different method of dialling than modern phones. Instead of pressing buttons to dial a number, you must physically rotate the dial to the desired number.
Hint: Each number is assigned a certain number of pulses, or clicks, which are sent down the phone line to indicate the number being dialled.
One important thing to remember when using a rotary phone is that you must wait for the dial to fully rotate back to its starting position before moving on to the next number. This can take a little longer than dialling on a modern phone, but it is an important part of the rotary phone’s functionality.
Receiving calls on a rotary phone
Receiving calls on a rotary phone is similar to receiving calls on a modern phone. When the phone rings, simply pick up the handset and you are connected to the caller.
Hint: If you want to answer the call in handsfree mode, some rotary phones have a separate button that allows you to switch between handsfree and handset mode.
Flip phones and their multitude of names
Flip phones are a type of mobile phone that became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They are called flip phones because they have a clamshell design that allows them to be folded in half, protecting the screen and keypad when not in use.
Flip phones were also known by several other names during their heyday, depending on the manufacturer and the market in which they were sold. Here are some of the more common names for flip phones:
- Clamshell phones: The term “clamshell” was often used to describe flip phones because their design resembled a clamshell with two halves that could be opened and closed.
- Folding phones: In some markets, flip phones were called “folder phones” due to their foldable design.
- Flipper phones: Another common name for flip phones was “flipper phones”, referring to the fact that the phone could be flipped open and closed like a clamshell.
- Shell phones: Some flip phones were called “shell phones” because of their clamshell design, which resembled a shell that could be opened and closed.
- Flip-top phones: Another common name for flip phones was “flip-top phones”, referring to the fact that the top half of the phone could be flipped open and closed to reveal the screen and keypad.
Important: Today, the term “flip phone” is the most commonly used to describe this type of mobile phone. Although flip phones are not as popular as they once were, they remain an important part of mobile phone history and are still used by some people who prefer their simple, compact design.
In short: old phones
Throughout history, old phones have played an important role in the evolution of communications technology. From old school phones to classic phones, landline phones and vintage phones, each type has helped shape the way we communicate with each other.
While many of these phones have become obsolete with the advent of newer and more advanced technologies, they remain an important part of telephony history and continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many people who remember using them in their heyday.
Whether it is their vintage charm, unique design or simple functionality, old telephones remain a fascinating reminder of how far we have come in the world of communications technology.
FAQ: old phones
Those old phones can be referred to as antique, vintage, or classic phones.
The 1800s phone is called a candlestick phone or an early wall phone.
Phones in the 1960s were predominantly rotary dial phones and push-button phones were introduced towards the end of the decade.