The red telephone box is today a British cultural icon,
despite their declining numbers and near-obsolete function. That in Preston is
Grade II-listed as of special historical interest.
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.
His name survives in popular speech – we still 'give someone a bell' today. The
prevalence of the telephone gradually increased, and in 1896 the Post Office
acquired the monopoly on its provision. Telephones were installed in the
growing network of sub-Post Offices, from which a call could be made or a
message left with the Postmaster or mistress, who would deliver it to the
appropriate person.
The public telephone kiosk was introduced by the Post Office
in 1920. The iconic red colour was derided and many were repainted in a more
neutral grey. Several models were developed; that in Preston is the 'K6' model,
designed to commemorate the silver jubilee of King George V in 1935. Thousands
of these were erected across Britain. That in Preston was placed outside No.10,
the Post Office from the 1890s to the 1960s.
Private telephones were installed
in larger houses from the early 20th century, and gradually became
more common. The use of kiosks accordingly declined.
Today, almost everybody has a landline
and a mobile phone, and how many people can remember the last time they used
our much loved cultural icon?
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