Brooke Martin
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, upright desk stand, or stick phone, was a style of telephone that gained popularity in the late 19th century. The first tube shaft candlestick telephone was the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, patented in 1904. This early design featured a carbon microphone (transmitter) and a receiver (earphone) that was held to the ear during a call. The candlestick telephone required the nearby installation of a subscriber set, which included a ringer box to announce incoming calls. While these early phones were awkward and heavy, they represented a significant step in the development of telephone technology, paving the way for the more efficient desktop telephones that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common period of use | Late 1890s to the 1940s |
| First appearance | 1880s |
| Design | A vertical tube shaft shortened to about 1+1⁄2 inches (4 cm) in height with a cradle on top |
| Weight | 2.3kg base, 400g earpiece |
| Usage | Required two hands to operate |
| Connection | Wired in place |
| Dial | Introduced in the 1930s |
| Manufacturers | Western Electric, Automatic Electric Co., Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, Stromberg-Carlson |
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What You'll Learn
- Candlestick phones were the first to reach ordinary homes
- They were common from the late 1890s to the 1940s
- They were not portable and required two hands to use
- They were made from wood, nickel-plated brass, Bakelite and hard rubber
- They were superseded by more efficient desktop telephones in the 1920s and 1930s
Candlestick phones were the first to reach ordinary homes
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, was the first type of phone to reach ordinary homes, shops, and offices. They were common from the late 1890s to the 1940s, with many remaining in operation into the 1950s.
The development of phones in the United States progressed rapidly after Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876. By the 1910s and 1920s, the growth in the number of phones and miles of phone lines in the U.S. exploded. Candlestick phones became popular during this time, though only affluent homes adopted them initially.
Candlestick phones were not portable and needed to be wired in place. They were also awkward to use, requiring two hands: one to hold the earpiece to the ear and the other to steady the mouthpiece. The base of a candlestick phone weighed around 2.3 kg, contributing to its heaviness.
The first tube shaft candlestick telephone was the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, patented in 1904. Western Electric was a major producer of candlestick phones, along with Automatic Electric Co., Kellogg Switchboard & Supply Company, and Stromberg-Carlson.
In the 1920s and 1930s, telephone technology shifted towards more efficient desktop telephones with combined handsets for the receiver and transmitter. By the 1930s, a breakthrough in phone design occurred, and new desktop models started to supersede the candlestick design.
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They were common from the late 1890s to the 1940s
The first commercial telephone systems were introduced in the late 1870s, and over the next few decades, telephone technology rapidly evolved. Among the array of telephone types that emerged during this period was the candlephone, also known as the carbon microphone transmitter. This device played a significant role in the evolution of telephony, particularly from the late 1890s through to the 1940s.
The candlephone was developed in the late 19th century, with its invention credited to several individuals, including Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner, who worked on early versions of the carbon microphone. The device got its name from its resemblance to a candle and consisted of a long, thin tube made of metal or cardboard, closed at one end, and containing carbon granules or powder. When a user spoke into the open end of the tube, the vibrations from their voice caused the carbon granules to rub together, varying the electrical resistance and creating an electrical signal that could be transmitted along telephone lines.
During the late 1890s, candlephones started to gain traction and became commonly used. This was a period of rapid expansion for telephone networks, and the candlephone was a popular choice due to its simplicity and relatively low cost. It didn't require a battery, which made it convenient and economical for users. Additionally, the device was easy to produce and could be manufactured with basic materials, making it accessible to a wide range of people.
From the late 19th century through to the 1940s, candlephones were widely adopted, particularly in rural areas where telephone services were being introduced. Their simplicity and robustness made them ideal for locations where technical support and maintenance were limited. They were also popular in areas with harsh weather conditions as they were less susceptible to temperature fluctuations and moisture compared to other telephone technologies of the time.
The carbon microphone technology used in candlephones was also utilized in early radio broadcasting, which further contributed to its popularity during this period. The development of radio as a communication and entertainment medium led to an increased familiarity with the technology, and many people would have been comfortable with the concept of speaking into a carbon microphone, whether for telephone or radio use.
However, by the 1940s, newer technologies were emerging, and the candlephone gradually became obsolete. More advanced microphones and transmitters were developed, offering improved sound quality and greater sensitivity. The introduction of the rotary dial phone and the move towards automated telephone exchanges also contributed to the decline of the candlephone, as users embraced the convenience of dialing a number directly rather than cranking a handle to connect to an operator.
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They were not portable and required two hands to use
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, was a style of telephone that was common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. They were the first type of phones to reach ordinary homes, shops, and offices, though only affluent homes adopted them in the late 1920s or early 1930s. The first tube shaft candlestick telephone was the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, patented in 1904.
Candlestick phones were not portable and required two hands to use. They had to be wired in place and were quite awkward to use. One hand was needed to hold the earpiece to the ear, while the other hand was needed to steady the main candlestick part to keep the mouthpiece at the mouth. This meant that one part of the phone had to be put down to write down messages.
Candlestick phones were also heavy. The base weighed 2.3 kg, and the earpiece weighed 400 g. To make or answer a call, the user lifted the receiver off the switch hook, activating an internal switch connecting the telephone to the telephone line. The candlestick telephone featured a mouthpiece (transmitter) mounted at the top of the stand and a receiver (earpiece) that was held by the user to the ear during a call. When the telephone was not in use, the receiver rested in the fork of the switch hook protruding to the side of the stand, thereby disconnecting the audio circuit from the telephone network.
Candlestick phones also required the nearby installation of a subscriber set (subset, ringer box), which housed the ringer to announce incoming calls and the electric circuitry to connect the set to the telephone network. In the 1920s and 1930s, telephone technology shifted to the design of more efficient desktop telephones that featured a handset with a receiver and transmitter in one unit, making the use of a telephone more convenient.
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They were made from wood, nickel-plated brass, Bakelite and hard rubber
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, upright desk stand, or stick phone, was a style of telephone common from the late 1890s to the 1940s. The first tube shaft candlestick telephone was the Western Electric #20B Desk Phone, patented in 1904.
Candlestick phones were the first type of phones to reach ordinary homes, shops, and offices. They were also the first phones to be considered "up-market" and were found in more affluent homes in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These phones were not portable and had to be wired in place. They were also quite awkward to use, requiring two hands: one to hold the earpiece to the ear and the other to steady the main candlestick part and keep the mouthpiece at the mouth.
The materials used to make candlestick phones evolved over time. The earliest candlestick phones had wooden receivers and bases. Later, phones were made from a variety of materials, including nickel-plated brass, Bakelite, hard rubber, and die-cast metal. Bakelite, for example, was used in the Telephone, Model No. 302, designed by Henry Dreyfuss for Bell Laboratories and introduced in 1937. This model featured a combined mouthpiece and receiver in a single tabletop unit, removing the need for a separate ringer box.
The use of these materials reflected the technological advancements and design preferences of the time. Nickel-plated brass, for instance, offered a durable and aesthetically pleasing finish, while Bakelite, an early plastic, provided a lightweight and mouldable alternative to metal or wood. Hard rubber, meanwhile, added a degree of flexibility and shock absorption to the phone's construction.
By the 1920s and 1930s, telephone technology shifted towards more efficient desktop telephones with integrated handsets. However, many candlestick telephones remained in operation and were maintained by telephone companies into the 1940s and beyond.
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They were superseded by more efficient desktop telephones in the 1920s and 1930s
The candlestick telephone, also known as a pole telephone, was a common sight from the late 1890s to the 1940s. It got its name from its tall, narrow shape, reminiscent of a candle in a candlestick. These early telephones were not portable and required wiring in place. They were also awkward to use, needing two hands: one to hold the earpiece to the ear and the other to steady the main candlestick part and keep the mouthpiece to the mouth.
In the 1920s and 1930s, telephone technology evolved, and the design shifted towards more efficient desktop telephones. These newer models featured a handset with the receiver and transmitter in one unit, making telephony more convenient and user-friendly. The Western Electric candlesticks were replaced by a series of new desktop models of hand telephone sets. This transition was marked by the introduction of the ""Telephone, Model No. 302" in 1937, designed by Henry Dreyfuss for Bell Laboratories. This model was based on a Finnish phone designed by the Ericsson Company in 1929. Dreyfuss's design combined the mouthpiece and receiver into a single tabletop unit, removing the need for a separate ringer box.
The shift towards more efficient desktop telephones in the 1920s and 1930s was driven by a desire for more ergonomic and user-friendly designs. The candlestick phones, with their two-handed operation and bulkiness, were superseded by models that offered greater convenience and ease of use. This evolution in telephone design reflected the increasing importance of telephony in both personal and professional spheres.
The growth in the number of phones and miles of phone lines in the U.S. between 1910 and 1920 is indicative of this trend. By the 1920s and 1930s, the more affluent homes started adopting telephones, and the need for more user-friendly and compact designs became imperative. The new desktop models were more compact, easier to use, and offered direct dialling, making them a significant improvement over the candlestick telephones.
While the candlestick telephones were superseded by the newer desktop models, they still remained in operation for many years. Some telephone companies maintained these older models into the 1940s and even the 1950s. Additionally, retro-style versions of the candlestick telephone were produced long after the originals became obsolete, showcasing the enduring appeal of this iconic design.
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Frequently asked questions
The first candlestick phone, also known as a pole telephone, came out in the late 1890s.
The first candlestick phones were packaged in three parts and required the nearby installation of a subscriber set or ringer box. They were not portable and needed to be wired in place. They also required two hands to operate.
Candlestick phones remained in operation into the 1940s and 1950s, but by the 1920s and 1930s, telephone companies had started to shift towards more efficient desktop telephones that featured a handset with a receiver and transmitter in one unit.
