The Telephone by Chipka
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Description
With a history dating back to the 1870s, modern-day tele-communications devices are ubiquitous: so numerous, in fact, that some theorists identify them as peripheral elements of human anatomy. Indeed, telephones, as we recognize them, are indispensable aids to expression of basic humanity as we recognize humanity today. As our concepts of humanity evolve primarily with our technological innovations, and secondarily with our social mentality it is no surprise that one exceptionally vital species of machine will reflect both its use and its users. Because they allow point-to-point communication over vast (and not so vast) distances, it’s likely that one could see the physical body of any telephone as a cybernetic quasi-organ of the human body, itself. I find it quite telling that mobile phones (in the USA, at least,) are referred to as cellular phones. This implies, at least accidentally, that they possess the ability to carry out metabolic functions, and that they have distinct (and mapable) life-spans. The relationships that many people have with their cellular phones seems to support this view, especially since many people express physiological and psychological symptoms when cellular phone use is disrupted.
I’ve always been intrigued with the relationships between humans and their tools. Though there are other tool-users on the planet, their cognitive mentalities and their tools are rudimentary at best. Chimpanzees are, perhaps, the only other tool-users on the planet with at least a vague, potential ability to rival humans. I find it unsurprising as primates seem to possess the greatest potential for cognitive evolution: like humans, many of the great apes have an understanding of language, and an ability to learn and effectively use new, though simplified, languages of human invention. Our non-human cousins make no use of communications devices, but the tools they use (termite gathering sticks, primarily) are as much a reflection of primate existence as telephones are of humanity. Outsiders (alien observers?) are likely to deduce quite a lot about humans simply by looking at a telephone, a cell phone, or related point-to-point communications device. We are, after all, able to make similar deductions by simply looking at termite-gathering sticks. (They’re often uniform in length and thickness, and in some cases, types of wood.)
I thought of that on the 14th floor of the Burnham Hotel when I saw an ornate, faux-antique telephone nested in a rather comfortable spot near the elegant bank of elevators. The elevators themselves made reference, rather palpably, to Sam Spade or some other chain-smoking private-eye with a taste for cheap scotch, vodka, bourbon, or gin. I thought the telephone in question was a bit of set dressing, a bit of appearance to lend some form of wholly-contrived authenticity to the hallway in question. I didn’t expect a functional telephone. I found its functionality quite amusing, though disconcerting. (I’d picked up the handset, placed the speaker near my ear, and heard a dial-tone. After a moment, someone at the front desk came on the line, identified themselves (he sounded like the cute guy with pale skin and dark hair) and laughed at my exclamation of: “Oh my god, this thing is real!” before hanging up.
I didn’t think much more about telephones, their history, or their implications until today. I spent the rest of that particular weekend, thinking about photographs, friends, and pecan sandies. As I look at this photograph and write this text, I’m thinking about soup. There’s a bowl of it right next to me. And on that note, I’m going to cut this short, and go eat.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great weekend. I hope to do some catching up tonight, but the process promises to be a slow one.
Comments (26)
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. Enjoy the meal my friend. God Bless.
Faemike55
Very cool photo, Chip thank you for reminding me about a phone I just aquired Very cool photo of this phone
bmac62
I imagine the front desk answers many a call-light from others doing exactly what you did. I did the same thing...far more curious about the phone then considering that someone would be answering it downstairs. That was a courteous, friendly and professional trio at the front desk. Hats off to them. As for your photo, a fine job... Alexander Graham Bell would have loved a smart phone but would have been quite mysterfied by the lack of wires, don't you think?
KatesFriend
At first blush, it looks like it came from another era. But then you see the touch tone "dial". Faux antiques, how stupid do they think we are - sorry for that outburst. I suppose pulse dialing and the rotary dials that generated them have been all but abandoned. But God, how I wish to see a genuine rotary dial phone that gives out touch tones when you spin the dial. That would be a clever faux antique. Now, don't get me started on the fact that this phone also "comes" with the even older dynamo crank to contact the all manual "telegraph" exchanges ala. 1870's to 1930's. I remember being solicited at home by one of those "new" long distance service providers ala. Sprint. This was in the early 90's but my residence had been built in the 50's and had not been updated for touch tone. Shortly into his "shpeel", he spied my rotary phone and went silent. With a sheepish admission that his service would be useless to me because pulse signals were not accepted by their network (they're new after all), he asked, "Don't you get bored waiting for the dial to finish spinning?". Yikes!
Sepiasiren
Very kewl shot and commentary although I find that those who romanticize certain eras or ideals often do tend to be older both in age and spirit (not a bad thing just an observation). Ack, I too have found that as I age I romanticize certain aspects of my own past. Still, as I become something of a misanthropic curmudgeon, I rather like newfangled technology, gadgets and the candied music of whipper snappers. I suppose this puts me a bit into the minority--lol. Awesome picture, solid framing, lighting and postwork, excellently captures the mood of the piece and what you wanted and needed to say here.
blinkings
I had an old telephone like this for a while Chip, but then it got so heavy and I got so tired of it I reverted to the 21st century!
Palaemon
Very nice colour and lighting.
MrsRatbag
I remember rotary dial phones all too well...the stress of trying to dial a number and not getting the dial all the way to the stop, waiting for the dial to stop spinning...having to hang up and start again. I loved the advent of pushbutton phones! I have nightmares about trying to use phones that have buttons with different symbols on them, and trying to find the numbers that I need in among all the other stuff, weird dreams. Anyway, this pic reminds me of old Doris Day movies; a real piece of the past! Beautifully captured, I love the textures!
beachzz
number, please!!
Isabelle711
I do love my cell phone. :))))))) It helps me stay in contact with my daughter and my friends. :))))))) Give a lady a phone she will find a friend that wants to chat. :)))))))) Most excellent capture of this old telephone. :))))) It is pretty cool it worked. :)))))))) I will let you go so you may enjoy your nice bowl of soup. :)))) Soup does sound very good. :))))))) Thank you for sharing. :))))))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :))))))
CoreyBlack
I kind of liked rotary phones.There was something very involving and physical about them. You actually had to manually move the dial and then wait the few seconds it took to spin back into place with that wonderfully comforting electronic ratcheting noise. Of course if you were in a hurry it wasn't so great, and if tried to go too fast your fingers would slip out of the dial holes which would slow you down even more because you had to start over. I think I actually like my memory of rotary phones more than the phones themselves... Push buttons are inherently faster, and with speed dial you barely use the buttons at all. I agree with you about cell phones. They do seem almost like cybernetic implants with some people. I resisted getting one for years, but now don't know how I ever lived without it. When I'm out and realize I left it at home a feeling of vague terror washes over me. Gee, what if something happens and I don't have a phone?? And, like clockwork, you can depend on their lifespan being somewhere between two and three years. Anyway, this is a cool shot. I can remember being fooled by the thing at first, but thought it odd that it had a modern cord on it. Then I noticed the push buttons. I love the light and detail on this and the way you really captured the feel of that particular area. Great work.
auntietk
Well, it might be faux, but it sure was fun! Once I've recovered, I really need to get back into my Chicago pics and see what I've got. Once over lightly got a few out of the files, but there's a gold mine there I have yet to tap. Thanks for the reminder!
whaleman
That is the beauty about some old phones, they do still work with most modern equipment, but probably not for much longer. My son wanted me to make him a cord set he could plug into his iPhone so when it rang he could reach into his jacket and pull out a handset phone handle complete with curled cord leading back into his pocket to the iPhone.
Ilona-Krijgsman
I really love the "golden" background...this old phone pops out nicely...I have an old phone like this but a different shape......I love the mood in this images...these days the whole world will only use cellphones.....it is a shame in some way.....this has so much more charisma
angora
like it a lot!!! wonderful 'portrait'!!! LOL @ those comments!
durleybeachbum
OO! I like this! and it WORKS?! Mind you I should have to dust it, and life is too short for housework. The lassie who does the cleaning for me only does it once a fortnight.
helanker
AWESOME SHot, this one A fantastic stillife. My grand parents had a telephone a little newer than this one but still you had to swing the handle when you finnish talking :-)
flavia49
wonderful phone and fabulous work
TallPockets
''I’ve always been intrigued with the relationships between humans and their tools. Though there are other tool-users on the planet, their cognitive mentalities and their tools are rudimentary at best.'' HELLO! .... WELL said and photo above! .... This OLD geezers thinks that we 'humans' are 'rude-imentary' at BEST MOST days .... WINK? ....
RodS
LOL! Yeah, I would have picked it up, too! Super photo of this faux beauty, Chip! The only symptom I experience when my cell phones (one personal, one work) are off is: "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... Relaxing time!" LOL!
sandra46
AMAZING COMPOSITION!
NefariousDrO
This is a beautiful still-life by itself, especially in that magical golden light you excel at so much. Add to that your incisive imagination and articulate thoughts and observations and you get a real masterpiece. Lovely!
Orinoor
While in college, sharing a house with several other students, I had to rent an old rotary phone. I loved it. It made me feel like I had arrived somehow, it was heavy, black and so solid and to me that meant I was an adult, responsible. I experienced a lot with that phone, it's part of my memories of that hard time. Cell phones just aren't the same. After all, you can't curl up around your cell phone, waiting for that life changing call...
jac204
This is a great capture of an old phone. Before 1958, our town had the old crank phones where you gave an operator the number you wanted. Even this looks high tech compared to what we had.
praep
Beautiful object. A real nice presentation.
danapommet
Super shot Chip! My father-in-law would have loved the original. He still has thouble with the 'modern' push button phones and is stillusing a dial phone. Oh, I love the lighting and no flash shadow.