Looking again at the last blog and the lovely pic of the Button A/B phone reminded me of just how simple it was.
When you inserted the coins it was arranged that they hit a small bell dome near which was a microphone so the operator would hear a different note as each coin was inserted!
Thats how she knew that you hadnt put in the full amount!
I can still remember them saying " Caller you need to insert an extra penny" or whatever.
Thats also how they new that when your time was up you could be asked for an extra sixpence or shilling on a TRUNK call.
Come on now someone will know what the coin values were?,, yes yes a penny slot but what did the other ones allow?
And dont get me started on indirect local dialling codes, tapped out on the receiver rest to get a free call.
(as a clue they started with 9 as that got you from the uax into the parent exchange?.
Mike S
Ps. I have now been told the pre-decimal it was 1p, 6p or a whole shilling. After decimalisation it was a 2 pence or 10p.
