Operator Collection

Metalwork
MODEL RELEASED. Metalwork. Metalworker watching a CNC (computer numerical control) lathe as it machines a metal component. CNC lathes are controlled electronically

Cotton weavers at their looms, Preston, Lancashire
Women operating cotton weaving looms at the works of Messrs Horrockses, Crewdson and Co Ltd of Preston, Lancashire

Cotton weaving shed, Preston, Lancashire
A huge cotton weaving shed at the works of Messrs Horrockses, Crewdson and Co Ltd of Preston, Lancashire, with people at work

Telephone Switchboard
New Scotland Yard switchboard

Telephone Exchange 1929
Londons new Automatic Telephone Exchange, showing an engineer testing the new revolutionary system, whereby subscribers were connected without an operator

Survivors of the Empress of Ireland. 1. Mr Edward Bamford, junior wireless operator on the Empress of Ireland. 2. The Rev J. Wallet, of the United Methodist Church, Westcliff-On-Sea. 3

Refuelling in a Mini
The modern female petrol pump operator, refuelling a car in her mini skirt

The switchboard at the Newcastle Telephone Exchange. 24th Januaray 1931

Completion of the new Earls Court station, London
Completion of the new Earls Court underground station, London. Top: an illuminated train indicator which shows trains in motion. Middle: the new flyover junction

A long line of telephone switchboards with female operators

London telephone exchange, WWII
Women telephone operators at a London telephone exchange with tin helmets, during World War II

Communications Room on an Atlantic liner
A communications room onboard an Atlantic liner, an example of the kind that would have been on board the Titanic. Built by the shipyard Harland and Wolff for White Star Lines

Signal Box 1940S
A signal box at Kingston showing a hand-operated frame

Spotlight operator, Maskelynes Theatre, London
Spotlight operator, Maskelynes Theatre, Langham Place, London. Date: circa 1930s

Vignette illustration, Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson -- An early and interesting type of signal. Date: 1935

TELEGRAPH OPERATORS, c1912. Telegraph operators copying messages transmitted from ships at sea, at the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company school in New York. Photograph, c1912

Metropolitan Police operations room, London
View of a Metropolitan Police operations room at New Scotland Yard, London, with officers and telephonists busy taking calls

Signal Room 1940S
A signal box at Surbiton for the Southern Railway

Duties of a large bombers crew by G. H. Davis
The duties of a large bombers crew of seven during the Second World War. Every man has a special task allotted to him. Showing a 27-ton heavy bomber over its target in Germany. Date: 1942

Telephone bureau exchange, 1889
Telephone bureau exchange. 19th-century artwork of woman operating the exchange at a telephone bureau. They are using receivers to listen to incoming calls and using the wires

Advert for the recruitment of men for the RAF 1941
Fly with the RAF. Volunteer now! Heres the chance you ve been waiting for - to fly with the R.A.F be a pilot (age 18 - 30), Air Observer (18 - 32) or wireless operator/air gunner (18 - 32)

Cartoon - WWI - Haircut
A cartoon making light of the perils of life on the front line and the frequent need for surgical intervention to operate on soldiers

Police radio operators

Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph, 1890
3479996 Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph, 1890; (add.info.: Wheatstone's needle (pointer) telegraph; the sender; left and receiver, 1890.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Wheatstone's Signal electromagnetic telegraph, 1890
3479994 Wheatstone's Signal electromagnetic telegraph, 1890; (add.info.: Wheatstone's Signal ABC electromagnetic telegraph.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The operating room at the General Post Office, 1874
3480011 The operating room at the General Post Office, 1874; (add.info.: The operating room at the General Post Office; St Martin's-Le-Grand; London)

Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850
3479983 Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph)

Switchboard operator, 1882
3479278 Switchboard operator, 1882; (add.info.: Switchboard operator replacing a subscriber's indicator flap in the telephone exchange. Dated 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Telephone exchange, 1891
3479276 Telephone exchange, 1891; (add.info.: Operator at the telephone exchange talking to a subscriber. Dated 1891.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Science. Communication. Phone exchange. Imagery in: The Wonder of Electricity, France, c.1910
2638701 Science. Communication. Phone exchange. Imagery in: The Wonder of Electricity, France, c.1910.; Private Collection; (add.info.: Sciences. Communication. Central telephonique. Coll)

Direct telegraph line between New-castle and London for the Newcastle Chronicle, 1874
3479999 Direct telegraph line between New-castle and London for the Newcastle Chronicle, 1874; (add.info.: Direct telegraph line between Newcastle and London for the Newcastle Chronicle)

Rear elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph, 1890
3479995 Rear elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph, 1890; (add.info.: Rear elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph; showing the current reverser)

The wireless transmission room at Croydon Aerodrome, London, England which was re-opened in 1928
3058465 The wireless transmission room at Croydon Aerodrome, London, England which was re-opened in 1928. From The Story of 25 Eventful Years in Pictures published 1935 by Unknown photographer

An English switchboard operator speaking to America by radio telephone for the first time in 1926
3058458 An English switchboard operator speaking to America by radio telephone for the first time in 1926. From The Story of 25 Eventful Years in Pictures published 1935 by Unknown photographer

The telegraph room, 1859
3480013 The telegraph room, 1859; (add.info.: The telegraph room; Electric and International Telegraph Company; Bell Alley; London. 1859.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office, 1888
3480012 Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office, 1888; (add.info.: Instrument gallery; Central Telegraph Office; St Martin's-Le-Grand; London.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871
3480009 The Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871; (add.info.: The Post Office telegraph headquarters; Telegraph Street; London: The instruments for carrying messages)

Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871
3480003 Post Office telegraph headquarters, 1871; (add.info.: Post Office telegraph headquarters; Telegraph Street; London: the batteries for operating the 395 instruments)

Telephone operator, 1882
3479284 Telephone operator, 1882; (add.info.: Telephone operator talking to a subscriber, dated 1882.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph, 1879
3479997 Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph, 1879; (add.info.: Sending a high speed message on the Wheatstone Automatic telegraph; General Post Office; St)

Operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph
5311941 Operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph; (add.info.: Engraving depicting operators receiving a message on a Morse telegraph at the General Post Office)

Switchboard telephone exchange, 1885
3479292 Switchboard telephone exchange, 1885; (add.info.: Male shown operating a Switchboard at a telephone exchange. Used to connect two callers together. Dated 1885.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888
3480000 Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand, 1888; (add.info.: Telegraph clerks at the General Post Office St Martin's-le-Grand; London)

A brave telephone operator in Etain, France, at her post despite heavy bombardment from the Germans (litho)
3252916 A brave telephone operator in Etain, France, at her post despite heavy bombardment from the Germans (litho); Private Collection; (add.info.: A brave telephone operator in Etain, France)

New York telephone subscriber making call through operator at telephone exchange
530469 New York telephone subscriber making call through operator at telephone exchange. Apparatus in picture used an Edison transmitter and a 'pony-crown' receiver

Front elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph, 1850
3479993 Front elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Front elevation of Cooke and Wheatstone's single needle telegraph.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850
3479988 Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph)

Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850
3479985 Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph, 1850; (add.info.: Cooke & Wheatstone's double needle telegraph)

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"Capturing the Essence of 'Operator': A Journey through Time and Technology" From the bustling cotton weaving shed in Preston, Lancashire to the intricate world of metalwork, operators have been at the heart of industrial progress. Witnessing the skillful hands of cotton weavers at their looms in Preston, Lancashire reminds us that operators have long played a vital role in facilitating production processes. The telephone switchboard: an iconic symbol of communication revolution since its inception in 1929 at the Telephone Exchange. Stepping into history with a glimpse of the switchboard at Newcastle Telephone Exchange on January 24th, 1931 - where connections were made and lives changed forever. Survivors from tragic events like those aboard Empress of Ireland remind us that even amidst chaos, skilled operators provided crucial assistance and support. Beyond telecommunication duties, operators found themselves refueling not only machines but also human connection – just like this mini being filled up for another journey ahead. Peering into London's Metropolitan Police operations room reveals how operators worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to maintain law and order throughout the city's streets. Celebrating completion as Earls Court station opens its doors to commuters; a testament to operator expertise ensuring smooth transportation for all passengers. A mesmerizing sight unfolds as a long line of telephone switchboards stands tall - each representing countless conversations connecting people across distances near and far. WWII brought challenges aplenty but London's telephone exchange remained resilient thanks to dedicated operators who kept lines open amidst adversity.