|
||
|
- Click on a picture for a close-up view - Table of ContentsPicture Index
1905 Strowger 
The eleven digit dial was invented by a mortician named Almon B. Strowger.
He was convinced that the local operators were diverting all the mortuary
business calls to his competitors. So, he decided to do away with operators.
He was granted a patent on March 10, 1891. And thus, the Strowger Automatic
Exchange (which later became the Automatic Electric Company then finally GTE)
came into being. This particular desk set was found in a garage in Grants Pass,
Oregon by its present owner.
|
