REMEMBERING THE OLD ROTARY DIAL PHONE

REMEMBERING THE OLD ROTARY DIAL PHONE, a photo by roberthuffstutter on Flickr.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE OLD ROTARY DIAL TELEPHONEPHONE By Robert L. Huffstutter.

The early 50s and 60s were the best times in America. This is, of course, just one man's opinion.

Why was it a great time today's generation might ask.

In order for today's generation to understand, they would have to turn in their cell phones for a black bakelight rotary dial phone with a standard ring. No fancy custom ringtones, no none at all, just the old and loud standard ring that would make grandma call out, "Bobby, get that phone, I just can't get there in time."

The phone would always be in the same location, not under a pillow or in a coat pocket. The spot where the phone was stationed was permanent. The cord was not usually more than three feet long, so no walking around while talking.

One would either stand or sit and chat.

Remind me if I am mistaken, but it seems that the tone of the callers'voice was much more clear than the voices coming through on cell phones today.

The voices were louder too. What a pleasure it was to talk to a favorite girlfriend back then--or a favorite uncle. One other thing about the old phone was that while dialing, one could contemplate the subjects to chat about.

Oh, sure, there were times when we might have wanted the dial to increase speed, but once the number was connected, we could hear the phone ringing in the home of the person we were calling. We could almost hear their footsteps as they hurried to pick up the phone and say "Hello."