DICTOGRAPH TELEPHONES | ||||||||
|
Dictograph telephone list - Thumbnails This section has been compiled using little information and may therefore have inaccuracies. Please advise of all mistakes or inaccuracies. The Dictograph was Kelly Turner's telephone system but the name is often used in error to mean a Dictophone, which was Thomas Edison's wax cylinder dictation machine. The Dictograph Company made intercom telephones that were only connected to each other, within a building, or buildings close to one another. There was a Master Station, which was normally a loudspeaker telephone and Sub-Stations which just had a handset or watch receiver and calling keys. The telephones were connected together by multicore cable. These telephones are confusing because the company did not normally identify the model type or number on the product. To make life more difficult the telephones were made and sold in different countries, with slightly different fittings and styling. The company also described telephones by the total number of connections possible, in other words the number of of keys and master connections (but not including the ring key). This can cause confusion as, visually, the HL 10/1 instrument had 5 line key handles ,each having dual operation (up & down, thus 10 connections), & 1 ring key handle ( i.e. 6 key handles). The 5 line keys all locked when operated. The Ring key was non-locking. There was no ‘up‘ operation. Master stations did not have a Ring key, thus the DL12 master station had 6 key handles enabling 12 connections. The early Master stations, described by the number of keys, used mechanical indicators instead of bulbs. The models, using connections, are defined in the following manner:- Taking the model HL20/1A for example. This is Model HL, which is a sub-station with a maximum of 20 connections. It has 1 connection to a single master station (identified by a lamp associated with the key) and the A means that the telephone is capable of connecting to an automatic telephone system. Some Master Stations also have keys marked “WAIT”, “ENGAGED” & “ENTER”. These operated lights outside of the office door. There was no engaged information provide to a telephone caller. Whilst it was usual to be connected to a master station, It was also available as a standalone unit . The name Portograph became gradually phased out & was known as Wait, Engaged, Enter facility. Notes The model ranges CL, DD, DL and SM were Master Stations only. The SM range was introduced in 1965. Model HL - Standard Master & Sub-station models could be supplied with connections from 4 to 64 stations. Additionally, there was a single line Sub Station. Model DHL - The HL model range was superseded in the early 60's by the DHL range. Up until the DHL models there were variations denoted by a W or K e.g. DWL & WHL referred to wall mounted. DHK & HK referred to instruments without any master station connectivity capability. Model SL - This model superseded the DHL range circa 1965 & before the Telephone Rentals takeover. Prior to the DHL/CL models, systems were powered by dry cell batteries. Master stations also had a 90v power unit for the valve amplifier. The introduction of the DHL range saw the introduction of a mains connected power supply (known as a Battery Eliminator) replacing the dry cell batteries. A transistorised amplifier also replaced the valve amplifier. The term ‘multi master’ was used by Telephone Rentals to differentiate from their DT69 ‘look alike’. Multi master were standard Dictograph models and systems could consist of any number of master & sub stations. There was no standard configuration for large installations (known as de-centralised). They could be a mixture of different models with differing line connections and systems could even consist of all master stations. Not all master stations were loud speaking. Those that were not loud speaking, were known as ‘silent’ master stations’ and were similar in appearance to sub-stations, except for the fact that each key had an associated lamp.(not outwardly visible on later models). The reference to the ST model is only relevant to the standard Dictograph system . It was a single line handset that connected to a specific master station. Lifting the handset called the master station. The HL & DHL models had equivalents i.e. HT & DHT. There was also a single line instrument that connected to a substation i.e. STB, DHTB & HTB. It used a simple single push button to call the connected sub station. Whilst physically similar, the DT69 was not compatible with the standard Dictograph ‘multi master’ system. It was a modified system made to meet Telephone Rentals requirement for an ‘off the shelf’ system. It was available in a 10 substation 1 or 2 master or 14 substation 1 or 2 master configuration. DT69 models were allocated an alpha numeric ‘K' number, not the Dictograph terminology (e.g. TR description = substation 10way K258E). They also had a flexible, PVC sheathed, cable pre-connected. The US division of Dictograph also supplied listening devices for Detectives, motor car intercoms, alarm systems, hearing aids and clocks. Motor car intercoms were marketed in the UK in the early years (1920/30’s). Until the time of the takeover, the UK company did supply fire alarm, clock and public address systems. The public address equipment was manufactured by their subsidiary company , Grampian Reproducers. Dictograph Telephones held the Royal Warrant & had systems in Buckingham Palace, Clarence House & The Royal Yacht Brittania. Whilst no longer in working order, the system is still installed & in situ. on the Royal Yacht & available for visitors to see. |
||||||||
Last revised:FM2 | ||||||||