Deutsche Reichspost W28 model desktop rotary phone
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 6.125 inches (15.558 cm) | Width: 5.750 inches (14.605 cm) | Depth: 6.250 inches (15.875 cm)
Creator(s)
- E. Zwietusch & Co. (Manufacturer)
- Siemens & Halske (Designer)
Archival History
The telephone was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Siemens and Halske W28 model rotary dial telephone commissioned by the Deutsche Reichspost [German Post Office) as its standard issue model from 1928. In the mid-1930s, the Reichspost commissioned a new model seeking a more economical and reliable device. They passed on the model produced in 1936. The W38 model was adopted but not introduced on a large scale until 1940. Some parts, such as the bell, were made of different materials due to war economies. The W38 was sturdier and introduced a dialing pause to make connections more consistent.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Black Bakelite rotary phone with a sloped body centered on a square, black painted, pressed steel base with rounded corners and a flat metal window nailed to the front. Bolted to the front center body is a rotating disk with a flat, tapered silver colored metal finger stop on the bottom right. Raised metal letters, A – K, are arranged counterclockwise around the center, each aligned with 1 of 10 circular holes around the edge. Below each hole, a black number, 1 - 9 or 0, is painted inside a thin circle on a flat, white enameled metal dial, beginning on the right and moving counterclockwise. At the top back, is a diecast Zamak forked cradle or hook switch for the 9.500 inch long molded handset with rounded ends. A perforated disk is set into the earpiece and a slotted dome is set into the mouthpiece, which is connected to the left base by a 72.250 inch long, offwhite plastic coated cord. A similar, 75.500 inch long cord extends from the back. A flat metal panel with 4 circular, hard rubber feet is screwed to the bottom.
Subjects
- Popular culture--Germany--History--20th century.
- Postal service--Germany--History--20th century.
- Germany--Politics and government.
- Postal service--Equipment and supplies.
Genre
- Audiovisual and Photographic Materials
- Object