Childhood Trauma Rotary Dial Telephone

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday November 1, 2005

GR

WHAT: Audio communication device activated by placing one's finger in a numbered hole and turning a dial. Sometimes, when you were bored, you'd dial with your pinky finger and it would get stuck between the dial thing and the phone. It hurt.

WHEN: 1896-1986

WHY: Because push-button phones wouldn't be invented until 1964, and were not widespread in Australia until the late '80s.

CHANCE OF REVIVAL: Popular for that retro look, but as it takes longer to call the number you want and can cause all sorts of compatibility problems on modern phone lines, its days are numbered.

© 2005 Newcastle Herald

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