Exit Telephone Girls.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 4, 26 January 1910, Page 60

Exit Telephone Girls.

A United States consular report states that the first automatic telephone exchange system in Germany has just been installed in Hildesheim by the Imperial German Post Office. It requires no ” Central” to make the connection, each, subscriber being his own exchange. The aparatus is like a clock, the indicating numbers connected to the automatic exchange being composed of a disc on which are ten holes, numbered from 0 to 9. These holes are large enough to permit the insertion of a finger. If a person desires to be connected with No. 951 ha places his forefinger in the slot numbered “ 9,’’ and turns the disc as far as it will go. He then permits the disc to return to its normal position under the action of a spring, whereupon the operation is repeated for “5,” and “1,” after which the disc returns to “ 0.” The connection is then established. It is not necessary for the subscriber to ring, as this is done automatically. The connection is terminated by hanging the receiver on the hook. The instrument is so arranged that a subscriber cannot obtain a connection while another conversasation is in progress.