I haven't seen one of these in a while

   / I haven't seen one of these in a while #71  
I remember a cerftain type of payphone that had a metal hook on the side for the handpiece doubled as a switch, when it was raining and you were barefoot (common practice here) if you depressed the switch by hand rather than hanging up the phone you were rewarded with a kick, a linesman told me it was the line voltage and I think it was a about 90vdc.
We were in the outback in the early 80's and found a few old payphones that still had the winder on the side to get the operator as there was no dial.

Bet it's in here:

Kellogg crank telephone - Google Search
 
   / I haven't seen one of these in a while #72  
Long time ago, don't think it was timber but it certainly had the means to take your cash but only 10 and 20c pieces, would not take the big 50c or $1 coin or the smaller 1-2 and 5c.
I remember having to stoop for the mouthpiece which was fixed on the front, I am 6'4" and these were designed for people at least 1' shorter.
Also remember the operator butting in telling my friend to curtail his language while we were talking.
 
 
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