Historical information

This telephone originated from a farming property originally bought by C T Alexander in 1920 and which has remained in the Alexander family since then. Karen Alexander, grand-daughter of C T Alexander, has donated a range of items from the property including domestic, wood-working and agricultural.

Significance

This telephone is an original version of the 801dial telephone. It is unusual in that the numbers are around the outside of the dial (instead of the inside of the dial). It was available in six different colours and was released in 1962 when the Postmaster General's Department (PMG) was the authority in charge of telecommunications. Telephones were not owned by the user but were rented out by the PMG. This telephone was donated by a resident of Emerald.

Physical description

Red desk telephone 801 series. Released in 1962. The first fully Australian designed phone. This telephone is the original version with numbers around the outside (instead of inside) the dial.

Inscriptions & markings

On underside: ' P.M.G. / 801 A1 / 88 81/204 '