Jessie Taylor
Candlestick telephones, also known as upright desk stands, were first introduced in the 1880s and gained popularity in the 1890s. By the 1920s, they were mostly used in offices, as they were considered clumsy and difficult to use for home users. The 1920s and 1930s saw the emergence of more efficient desktop telephones, which featured a handset with a receiver and transmitter in one unit. Despite this, some candlestick telephones remained in operation until the 1950s, and there are even reports of their use in the 1960s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Period | Late 1890s to 1940s |
| Design | Tall and narrow, with a base, stem, mouthpiece, and receiver |
| Construction | Wooden receivers and bases; later models used nickel-plated brass and Bakelite or hard rubber parts |
| Functionality | Two-piece design with a separate earpiece and mouthpiece; later models featured a rotary dial for direct dialling |
| Manufacturers | Western Electric, Automatic Electric Co., Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, Stromberg-Carlson, Electric Goods Mfg Co., DeVeau |
| Obsolescence | Phased out in the 1920s-1930s with the introduction of more efficient desktop telephones |
| Legacy | Retro-style versions reproduced by companies like Radio Shack and Crosley Radio |
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What You'll Learn
The design of candlestick telephones
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, upright desk stand, or stick phone, was a common telephone design from the late 1890s to the 1940s. The design featured a mouthpiece or transmitter mounted at the top of the stand, and a separate earpiece or receiver that was held to the ear during a call. When not in use, the receiver rested on a hooked perch or fork, disconnecting the audio circuit from the telephone network.
The base of a candlestick telephone featured a vertical cylindrical neck extending upright for up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length. The carbon microphone (transmitter) was mounted at the top of the stand, with the earpiece (receiver) resting on a switch hook that protruded to the side. The early models of these telephones did not have dials and required users to call an operator to connect to the desired number. Later models introduced by Western Electric in the 1920s featured a dial in the base, allowing for direct dialling.
The first tube shaft candlestick telephone was the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, patented in 1904. Candlestick telephones were produced by various manufacturers, including Western Electric (a unit of AT&T), Automatic Electric Co., Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, and Stromberg-Carlson. Despite ceasing new production in the 1940s, candlestick telephones remained in operation and were maintained by telephone companies into the 1950s.
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How candlestick telephones worked
Candlestick telephones, also known as upright desk stands, were popular from the 1880s to the 1940s. They were the first type of phone to reach ordinary homes, shops, and offices. The name comes from their tall and narrow shape, reminiscent of a candle in a candlestick.
Candlestick phones were typically made of wood, nickel-plated brass, Bakelite, or hard rubber. They featured a base, stem, mouthpiece, and receiver. The mouthpiece (or transmitter) was mounted at the top of the stand, and the receiver (or earpiece) was held by the user to their ear during a call. When not in use, the receiver rested on a cradle or in the fork of a switch hook protruding from the side of the stand, disconnecting the audio circuit from the telephone network.
To make or answer a call, the user lifted the receiver, activating an internal switch that connected the telephone to the telephone line. The earliest candlestick phones did not have dials; instead, they had a disk stating the user's phone number and other information for making a call. Lifting the earpiece would attract the attention of a human operator, who would connect the call. Later models featured a rotary dial in the base, allowing users to signal the telephone number of the recipient directly.
Candlestick telephones required the installation of a subscriber set or ringer box, which housed the ringer for incoming calls and the electric circuitry to connect to the telephone network. They also needed external bell sets, which were large and bulky. The sound quality of the microphones and earpieces was often poor, and making calls through an operator could be slow and laborious.
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The manufacturers of candlestick telephones
Candlestick telephones, also known as pole telephones, upright desk stands, or stick phones, were common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. They featured a mouthpiece or transmitter mounted at the top of the stand and a separate earpiece or receiver that the user held to their ear during a call. When not in use, the receiver rested on the side of the stand, disconnecting the audio circuit.
The main producers of candlestick telephones included Western Electric (a unit of AT&T), Automatic Electric Co. (later acquired by GTE), Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, and Stromberg-Carlson. Western Electric, in particular, played a significant role in the evolution of candlestick telephones. They patented the first tube shaft candlestick telephone, the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, in 1904.
Western Electric also developed modern handset designs in the 1920s, which marked a shift towards more efficient desktop telephones with integrated receivers and transmitters. This led to the obsolescence of traditional candlestick telephones, although many remained in operation and were maintained by telephone companies into the 1950s.
Other notable manufacturers of candlestick telephones included the Electric Equipment Mfg. Co., DeVeau, Electric Goods Mfg Co., and Direct Line Telephone Company. These companies produced a range of unique designs, such as the San Francisco Potbelly, the Holtzer Cabot, and the Couch Autophone. Many candlestick telephones were also made by independent companies, and some had parts manufactured by larger companies like Western Electric.
While candlestick telephones became obsolete with the introduction of more modern and compact telephone designs, their impact on the evolution of telecommunication technology is undeniable. They were the first type of telephones to find their way into ordinary homes, shops, and offices, even though only affluent households initially adopted them. Today, candlestick telephones are collector's items, with their unique designs and historical significance attracting enthusiasts worldwide.
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The decline in popularity of candlestick telephones
Candlestick telephones, also known as pole telephones, upright desk stands, or stick phones, were once a common sight, especially from the late 1890s to the 1940s. However, their popularity began to wane with the advent of more efficient and convenient desktop telephone designs in the 1920s and 1930s. This decline in popularity can be attributed to several factors.
One of the main reasons for the decline of candlestick telephones was the introduction of more modern and compact telephone designs. The Western Electric company developed a series of new desktop models starting with the Type A handset mounting in 1927, which integrated the receiver and transmitter into a single handset unit. This made using the telephone much more convenient and user-friendly. Additionally, these newer models featured a rotary dial, allowing users to directly dial telephone numbers, whereas early candlestick phones lacked a dial and required users to go through an operator to connect calls.
The shift towards more efficient and compact designs was also influenced by technological advancements. By the 1930s, telephone companies were making improvements to the electric circuitry, leading to the development of models like the model 202 telephone, which reduced the strong sidetone of earlier candlestick phones. The introduction of automatic telephone exchanges and area codes further contributed to the decline of candlestick phones, as newer phones with dials became more prevalent.
Another factor in the decline of candlestick telephones was their design and functionality. Candlestick phones were tall and narrow, with a separate mouthpiece and earpiece, requiring the use of both hands. This made them bulkier and less convenient than the newer, more compact phones that were emerging in the early 20th century. Additionally, the early models of candlestick phones lacked a dial, making the process of making a call more cumbersome and time-consuming.
While candlestick telephones may have become obsolete, they hold a significant place in the history of telecommunication. They were the first type of phones to reach ordinary homes, shops, and offices, marking a pivotal moment in the widespread adoption of telephone technology. Today, they are sought-after collectibles, with some models, such as the W.E. #10 candlestick and the San Francisco Potbelly, considered rare and valuable by antique collectors.
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The continued use of candlestick telephones
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, upright desk stand, or stick phone, was a popular style of telephone that emerged in the late 19th century and remained in use until the 1940s. Despite the cessation of new production, some candlestick telephones continued to be operated and maintained by telephone companies into the 1950s.
Additionally, candlestick telephones hold historical and sentimental value for some people. Antique collectors and enthusiasts appreciate the intricate details and variations in design, such as the rare telephone index roll or the green mouthpiece of the W.E. #10 candlestick. The Holtzer Cabot "dial" stick, the Strowger 11-digit standby, and the Electric Goods Mfg Co. candlestick with its unique clamping devices are also sought-after by collectors.
Furthermore, candlestick telephones played a significant role in the evolution of communication technology. They were the precursors to more modern and compact telephone designs, and their impact extended beyond their functional use. For example, the Post Office's instructions for using early candlestick phones, including speaking clearly to the operator, offer a fascinating glimpse into the past.
While candlestick telephones may no longer be in mainstream use, their legacy persists through their influence on technology and design, as well as their value to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate their historical significance and unique characteristics.
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Frequently asked questions
Candlestick telephones were common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. They were most popular in the 1880s and gained traction as important pieces of technology for businesses. By the 1920s, they were mostly used in offices.
In the 1920s and 1930s, telephone technology shifted towards more efficient desktop telephones that featured a handset with a receiver and transmitter in one unit. These newer phones were more convenient to use.
Many users found candlestick telephones to be clumsy and difficult to use. The introduction of Bakelite telephones in the 1930s decreased the popularity of candlestick models.
Yes, the shift towards more modern and efficient desktop telephones also played a role in the obsolescence of candlestick telephones. Additionally, the Western Electric company, a major producer of candlestick telephones, developed modern handset designs in the 1920s, which superseded the older candlestick models.
