Christmas gifts from years ago - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

OscarFoxtrot · 24th Dec 2018, 12:26 pm

Having a phone on a Christmas wish-list isn't merely a modern phenomenon.

The "hand-microphone" of 1933 - allegedly popularly known as the "handy" - was coveted by well-to-do Brits, who were urged to write to the General Post Office in London to order one.

"Both charming and permanently useful" as well as being "shapely in design and efficient in use", those lucky enough to own one could also buy a special cosy to keep it snug.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42195763

kalee20 · 24th Dec 2018, 12:39 pm

I'd like one of those for Christmas! Santa - are you listening? I've been a good boy, honest!!

Nickthedentist · 24th Dec 2018, 12:46 pm

Yes, a cat telephone cosy for me too, please.

Dave Moll · 24th Dec 2018, 1:49 pm

My 150CB says he would like one too!

Heatercathodeshort · 24th Dec 2018, 6:10 pm

Telephones were considered to be vulgar in the early 20th Century and considered to be the work of the devil by old ladies. [I won't be 'oldin with it!]

They were often covered up by 'Naff' Crinoline ladies. URGHHH!

By the expression on the cat's face it appears the period lady is inserting the phone in the cat's aXXX!

By the time you skinned the cat or undressed the Crinoline frock, the caller had probably rung off..J. Terrible things....John.

barrymagrec · 24th Dec 2018, 6:40 pm

Do you think that cat telephone cosy is where Harry Corbett got the idea for Sooty?

Graham G3ZVT · 24th Dec 2018, 9:45 pm

That telephone has got a cordless handset.

evingar · 24th Dec 2018, 11:26 pm

Quote:

That telephone has got a cordless handset.

What they aren't showing is the 1/2 a ton of steel chassis valve radio transceiver required to make it work !

G4YVM David · 25th Dec 2018, 8:11 am

Just shows there's nothing new under the sun. All my daughters friends have phone cosies. Wonder if I should knit one for my T1154? Might help the drift...

David

mole42uk · 25th Dec 2018, 9:59 am

A friend knits with copper wire (don’t ask, it’s an ‘art’ thing…), no doubt a telephone cosy in copper wire would have an interesting effect on the cellular signal …

Herald1360 · 26th Dec 2018, 12:57 am

Bobble hats for the "welded to the ear" mobile phone user?

Refugee · 26th Dec 2018, 1:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herald1360

Bobble hats for the "welded to the ear" mobile phone user?

That would be fine if the correct safety checks have been carried out on the welding.

G4_Pete · 28th Dec 2018, 9:01 pm

Many years ago for Christmas I was given a bent chrome wire artistic thingy for putting on a desk to hold your mobile phone at a convenient angle. I dutifully put my Phillips mobile phone in it only to pick it up later and find it hot to touch. It never worked again! Either coincidence or this wire holder cased some RF feedback problem and wreaked the phone.
Not impressed!
Pete

24th Dec 2018, 12:26 pm	#1
OscarFoxtrot Heptode Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 805	Christmas gifts from years ago Having a phone on a Christmas wish-list isn't merely a modern phenomenon. The "hand-microphone" of 1933 - allegedly popularly known as the "handy" - was coveted by well-to-do Brits, who were urged to write to the General Post Office in London to order one. "Both charming and permanently useful" as well as being "shapely in design and efficient in use", those lucky enough to own one could also buy a special cosy to keep it snug. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42195763 Attached Thumbnails

24th Dec 2018, 12:39 pm	#2
kalee20 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lynton, N. Devon, UK. Posts: 7,077	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago I'd like one of those for Christmas! Santa - are you listening? I've been a good boy, honest!!

24th Dec 2018, 12:46 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,840	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Yes, a cat telephone cosy for me too, please.

24th Dec 2018, 1:49 pm	#4
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 6,127	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago My 150CB says he would like one too! __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley)

24th Dec 2018, 6:10 pm	#5
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Telephones were considered to be vulgar in the early 20th Century and considered to be the work of the devil by old ladies. [I won't be 'oldin with it!] They were often covered up by 'Naff' Crinoline ladies. URGHHH! By the expression on the cat's face it appears the period lady is inserting the phone in the cat's aXXX! By the time you skinned the cat or undressed the Crinoline frock, the caller had probably rung off..J. Terrible things....John.

24th Dec 2018, 6:40 pm	#6
barrymagrec Octode Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Morden, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,557	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Do you think that cat telephone cosy is where Harry Corbett got the idea for Sooty?

24th Dec 2018, 9:45 pm	#7
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,710	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago That telephone has got a cordless handset. __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT

25th Dec 2018, 8:11 am	#9
G4YVM David Heptode Join Date: May 2014 Location: Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 998	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Just shows there's nothing new under the sun. All my daughters friends have phone cosies. Wonder if I should knit one for my T1154? Might help the drift... David __________________ David, G4YVM.

25th Dec 2018, 9:59 am	#10
mole42uk Nonode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Resolven, Wales; and Bristol, England Posts: 2,608	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago A friend knits with copper wire (don’t ask, it’s an ‘art’ thing…), no doubt a telephone cosy in copper wire would have an interesting effect on the cellular signal … __________________ Richard Index: recursive loop: see recursive loop

26th Dec 2018, 12:57 am	#11
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Bobble hats for the "welded to the ear" mobile phone user? __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

28th Dec 2018, 9:01 pm	#13
G4_Pete Hexode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 419	Re: Christmas gifts from years ago Many years ago for Christmas I was given a bent chrome wire artistic thingy for putting on a desk to hold your mobile phone at a convenient angle. I dutifully put my Phillips mobile phone in it only to pick it up later and find it hot to touch. It never worked again! Either coincidence or this wire holder cased some RF feedback problem and wreaked the phone. Not impressed! Pete