This series of photos depicts appliances and equipment kept within easy reach in a kitchen. The photos, date-stamped "89 1 5", were taken during a visit to the home of Arthritis Foundation of Victoria member, Margaret. They were taken to accompany an article by Occupational Therapist, Pat Dwyer. Titled, 'Suggestions for independent living', the article outlines the steps taken by Margaret to facilitate the daily challenges of living independently with arthritis. The article and accompanying photo appear on page 10 of the Vol 2 No 1, March 1989 issue of the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria's quarterly magazine, Arthritis Update. In this photo, a long rod has been strapped onto a telephone receiver with tape. Although this particular photo was not published, it is a good example of a home-made arthritis aid.B&W photo of a telephone receiver, strapped to a long rod with tape, on a table amongst other items. At one end of the table is an empty chair, with a cupboard with drawers behind it. The photo is date-stamped "89 1 5" in white text on the bottom left side of the image layer (although, on this photo, the date stamp is barely noticeable and difficult to decipher against the pale coloured table).[In blue ink on a yellow sticky note] Telephone with extension handle strapped on.arthritis foundation of victoria, afv, rheumatism and arthritis association of victoria, raav, pat dwyer, occupational therapist, ot, arthritic aids, household aids, gadgets, home-made aids, telephone extension handle, living with arthritis, living independently, pain management, arthritis update, 1989

The Ericofon was the first commercially successful telephone which incorporated both handle and dial within a single unit. Manufactured by the Swedish company Ericsson, and available for lease from the Postmaster-General’s Department, the streamlined design has been praised for anticipating the cordless phone, and later mobile phone, by several decades. The ‘cobra’ design was formulated in the 1940s and manufactured in the 1950s; Australian cases were likely made in the L M Ericsson Broadmeadows factory. Although new thermoplastic technology allowed for a bolder aesthetic than traditional black Bakelite telephones, Ericofon sales accounted for only 4% of the market and it never enjoyed popularity with Australian subscribers. The design did, however, spark a conceptual shift whereby the telephone “was seen more as a consumer product than merely an extension of telephony” (Ericsson).Clear plastic telephone casing inside which are coloured electrical wires. Telephone has a broad base that contains the dial, mouthpiece and cord with cream plastic coated wall plug attached at rear. Handle tapers in a curve to a stylised squared earpiece. Dial underneath is a rotary dial with red disconnection button in the centre. telephone, design, domestic, ericsson, industrial design