Today we use cell phones. They're usually small and fit right in your back pocket. They are really terrific, being able to: google info, take and send pictures, store notes, and, yes, make a direct call to your wife, your girlfriend, or HQ.
To really appreciate the modern cell phone, you should look at the history of the "old land line" and its' roots. You will see that your calls worked through Desk and Wall Phones, Pay Phones and miles of Telephone Lines. It didn't take long for hundred's of calls to flood certain numbers (such as MI 2 5400).
In order to deal with call volume businesses, and the Newark Police Department, used "Switchboards" to direct calls to specific Officers. The city cops used Telephone Operators to route all their calls. They were the forerunner of today's "911" Operators.
In the 1930's a Badge was actually issued to the staff assigned to telephone duty. I obtained one, and reported on it years ago. Now it is time to look at it again.
This badge is old. It is in pretty good condition. It is definitely cool! Hard to believe that Newark Police issued a Badge for the "Telephone Operator." But the did!
It
is a badge that is built over a Sergeant or Lieutenants Badge. The
necessary changes were accomplished by adding two panels to the original
version of the badge.
The top "new panel" reads "Telephone," and the bottom "new panel" reads "Operator." The number 22 is also on a separate, small number box on the bottom.
The sections of the badge that read "Police" and "Newark, NJ" are part of original badge. Those letters are stamped into position from the rear and have a raised appearance.
In the center of the item is a Seal from the City of Newark. It looks to be set on the badge prior to plating.
This particular shape badge was rendered obsolete in mid 1950's. Little else is known about it, but it definitely is worthy of display. Today it is under glass, and hangs in a nice display in my museum.
