I had picked up this operators chair some time ago. I finely got around to doing something with it. All I did was take it apart, wash the frame and sent the seat out to be repaired. Put it all back together. I was told that it would have been the lead operators seat as it has the long legs and she would sit higher behind the other operators.
I always thought the lead operator was walking around rather than sitting??? In any case, I think there are chairs of different heights depending on the type board.
Somemone once asked Lincoln how long a man's legs should be: He answered, "long enough to reach the ground."
Quote from: poplar1 on May 18, 2018, 06:57:30 AM
I always thought the lead operator was walking around rather than sitting??? In any case, I think there are chairs of different heights depending on the type board.
Somemone once asked Lincoln how long a man's legs should be: He answered, "long enough to reach the ground."
You could be right so I changed it and took out the lead, I only based it on what I was told by the retired Bell employee I got it from.
But didn't the lead operator need some where to sit? LOL
Quote from: Duffy on May 18, 2018, 07:26:44 AM
You could be right so I changed it and took out the lead, I only based it on what I was told by the retired Bell employee I got it from.
But didn't the lead operator need some where to sit? LOL
In the large exchanges she was on roller skates!
My mother in law was an operator. She said the supervisor was always walking around everyone in the row. She never saw one sitting when on duty.
So it looks like one for a tall board.
Quick search I found both. Sitting supervisor & skating.
Found this print with the operators using the higher chair.
Now does anyone know what the bucket was used for on the back of my chair?
Harry you found one of the lead sitting on a higher chair!
Quote from: Duffy on May 18, 2018, 09:05:16 AM
...
Now does anyone know what the bucket was used for on the back of my chair?
...
It looks the right sort of size to put a phone directory in, but I'm guessing.
:)
Yes, I actually found a few different pictures of operators on higher chairs. It looks like your guy may have been correct. I noticed that tray too. I first thought it was a footrest and the chair was turned backwards but on closer inspection I would agree maybe a directory or a manual, some kind of larger book type thing. Just occured to me, possibly a purse holder?
Quote from: HarrySmith on May 18, 2018, 09:42:25 AM
... possibly a purse holder?
You mean a handbag right - a purse goes inside a handbag.
;)
Cool chair and interesting pictures! It would drive me nuts having someone behind me looking over my shoulder all the time!
I don't know what the bracket on the chair is but, today the chair would have a cup holder! ;)
I talked with my mother in law again, she told me in the office she worked, the super was always walking and listening to each operator. She also said at first it was strange to have someone standing behind her, but once you're busy you don't even think about it anymore.
Quote from: Pourme on May 18, 2018, 10:24:58 AM
I don't know what the bracket on the chair is but, today the chair would have a cup holder! ;)
The bracket is an "official" KS-numbered Western Electric part: it's a Purse-Holder! ;-)
I have 4 of the earlier, all wooden chairs like this that I also need to get busy and refurb/re-cane.
Quote from: tubaman on May 18, 2018, 09:55:21 AM
You mean a handbag right - a purse goes inside a handbag.
;)
A wallet goes inside a purse or handbag, along with everything else!
Now to find this piece for the backrest. I have a spot for it. I think it's to hang their headsets on.
Quote from: HarrySmith on May 18, 2018, 12:00:24 PM
A wallet goes inside a purse or handbag, along with everything else!
The joys of USA and UK English!
;D
Quote from: tubaman on May 18, 2018, 01:01:09 PM
The joys of USA and UK English!
;D
In this case, we're concerned with Bell System English.
BSP 065-100-102, issue 6, July 1982, section 2.18 -
"Purse Holders"It also mentions accessories for the backrest, including ticker holders and U-hooks.
A basic search in the TCI Library for "065 100" (the space is important) will give several additional BSPs of interest. One even covers maintenance of the purse holders.
Eek, another version of English! ;)
In the UK if that was a purse holder I hate to think how big a handbag you'd need to put it in. ;D
I found a home for my chair. In my telephone room with the 1960s Wooden Privacy Booth.
That is my favorite booth - thanks for the reposting that. Reminds me of banks or gov't buildings when I was a kid...... Nice display, but I'd rotate a 3-slot in that booth at some point.... :)
Quote from: RotarDad on May 21, 2018, 12:39:05 AM
That is my favorite booth - thanks for the reposting that. Reminds me of banks or gov't buildings when I was a kid...... Nice display, but I'd rotate a 3-slot in that booth at some point.... :)
I did have a 3 coin in it out in the garage, but the problem is I have no wall space for the Millennium in this room. I have a total of 7 payphones in there. 4 three coin, 2 single coin Centurions and the Millennium. I would love to have the wall space to mount them all.
There is a purse holder on ebay right now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-TELEPHONE-SWITCHBOARD-OPERATORs-PURSE-HOLDER-KS-15830/253654272512?hash=item3b0ef90a00:g:I-MAAOSw441bDGlG
Haf
Seller seems to have more than one...
here is another one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-WESTERN-ELECTRIC-TELEPHONE-SWITCHBOARD-OPERATORs-PURSE-HOLDER-KS-15830/263722863102?hash=item3d671b89fe:g:CkwAAOSw0SJbDZ16
Btw I'm not the seller nor do I have any connection to :)
Haf
QuoteThere is a purse holder on ebay right now...
It occurred to me that anyone who hasn't actually seen one of these hooks would have no idea about their size just from the eBay pictures.
Those WE engineers were BIG thinkers.
Anyone needing a hook like that for a purse had better not travel with me.
Quote from: Duffy on May 21, 2018, 08:14:08 AM
I did have a 3 coin in it out in the garage, but the problem is I have no wall space for the Millennium in this room. I have a total of 7 payphones in there. 4 three coin, 2 single coin Centurions and the Millennium. I would love to have the wall space to mount them all.
Beautifully laid out room in those pics Duffy. A pleasure to view.
Quote from: FabPhones on June 02, 2018, 07:56:48 AM
Beautifully laid out room in those pics Duffy. A pleasure to view.
Thanks, work in progress. :)