Central telephone exchange in Milyutinsky Lane. Automatic telephone exchanges and classification of automatic telephone exchanges Disadvantages of electronic automatic telephone exchanges

FIRST AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE STATION IN MOSCOW

(Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 25)

Directly opposite Bolshoi Tolmachevsky Lane stands the building of the first Moscow automatic telephone exchange. It was opened on November 6, 1927 - just on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the Great October Revolution. At that time, constructivism—the “style of iron, concrete and glass”—dominated in Soviet architecture. In 1920, the famous avant-garde artist V.E. Tatlin worked on a model of his famous tower - a monument to the Third International. This unique calling card of constructivism, according to the author, was made of “iron, glass and revolution.” In 1927, three more telephone exchanges were built in Moscow - on Bakuninskaya, 3rd Tverskaya-Yamskaya and Arbat. The author of the project, who supervised their construction, was engineer V.V. Patek. The building on Bolshaya Ordynka became a pioneer in the development of the Moscow city telephone network.

But even before the opening of the automatic telephone exchange, the history of the Moscow telephone was rich in events. In 1882, the first telephone exchange appeared in Moscow in the house of the merchant of the first guild K.A. Popova on Kuznetsky Most. Only the noblest and richest people could afford to have a telephone number at that time. The first subscriber list of twenty-six issues included the Moscow Insurance Company, leading Moscow theaters and famous restaurants. The newspaper “Kommersant” in the article “Telephonizer” makes an interesting comparison: “The subscription fee was prohibitively high - 250 rubles, a fortune at that time. For comparison: in the fashionable store “Furs” you could buy a raccoon fur coat for 65 rubles, and a ferret coat, one of the most expensive, for 85 rubles.” But this did not stop the owners of the first phones, because having a fashionable wonder was a sign of wealth and prosperity. The names of the first subscribers were published in newspapers on the front pages, and getting on these pages was considered more prestigious than being included in the gossip column.

The emergence of telephone exchanges significantly changed the appearance of Moscow: telephone stands appeared, wires were stretched between houses. Near Popov's house there was a real web of wires. At first, the telephone companies employed men, but (amazing thing!) they often argued with each other and were distracted by other things. Then the famous “telephone ladies” came to replace the men. Having gained a reputation for men, telephone exchange managers subjected the girls to strict selection. Candidates had to have a pleasant voice, be young (from eighteen to twenty years old), polite, educated and patient. However, they also received a serious salary - thirty rubles! For comparison: a skilled worker was content with only ten to fifteen rubles.

Writer L.V. Uspensky, in one of his essays, not without nostalgia, recalled the time of the “telephone young ladies”: “Those first telephone sets - they were produced by the Ericsson factory - from our current point of view would seem like extraordinary horrors. They hung heavy, painted walnut, looking like carefully crafted birdhouses. Their microphone stuck out almost half a meter forward. One had to speak while breathing into its bell, carefully sealed with a copper mesh, and the sound reached the ear through a heavy tube, which, completely separately, had to be placed against it by hand. And there were two buttons - left “a”, right “b”.

Telephone lady. Photography from the beginning of the 20th century.

The left one had to be pressed, calling numbers up to 39,999; right - if the number you need started with a four. The answer was “young lady”. The young lady could have been asked to talk quickly. The young lady could have been scolded. With her it was possible - in the late hours, when there were few connections - to have a heart-to-heart conversation, even flirt. They said that one of them so captivated either a millionaire or a grand duke with her sweet voice that she “provided for herself for the rest of her life.”

The history of the invention of automatic number dialing is interesting and funny. Inventor Almon Strowger had nothing to do with telephony. In 1892, he was the owner of a funeral home in Kansas City. Due to the machinations of competitors, Strowger suffered huge losses. The fact is that the wife of the owner of another funeral company worked as a telephone operator at the city station. She directed all calls from the funeral home to her husband. Strowger, not used to giving up, chose the most difficult path. He did not go to the prefecture or court to complain about the dishonesty of his competitor and his wife, but simply came up with a system that allowed each subscriber to independently connect to the desired number directly from home, without intermediaries. He rashly named his invention “No dames’n’damns telephone,” which translates roughly as “Telephone without ladies and curses.” Strowger is also considered the inventor of the dialer in the form of a rotating disk, which was used in every Soviet family some twenty years ago.

The transition to an automatic system in Moscow took place in stages. First, in 1924, an experimental ten-step automatic telephone exchange was installed for a thousand numbers with an active capacity of one hundred numbers. The first Moscow automatic telephone exchange was preceded by the construction of an automatic telephone exchange in Rostov-on-Don in 1926. But in Moscow the palm belongs to Bolshaya Ordynka. For the construction of the automatic telephone exchange, a special construction organization was created - the Office of the Chief Engineer for Zoning of MGTS. The telephone exchange building was built from monolithic reinforced concrete structures. Its architectural image was deliberately given the features of industrial buildings. The complete installation of equipment at the station was completed in October 1930. The automatic telephone exchange began to serve government agencies and industrial enterprises in Zamoskvorechye. The first stations built in Moscow - on Bolshaya Ordynka, Bakuninskaya and Arbat - were as similar to each other as two peas in a pod. They had four floors, the first of which housed an extensive lobby, long-distance negotiation room, telegraph and postal operations hall, the second - administrative premises, and the third and fourth - all kinds of equipment. The station on 3rd Tverskaya-Yamskaya differed from others in its architecture and layout, which was explained by the complex configuration of the site on which it was built. But the main premises were the same as all the others.

The first automatic telephone exchange. Photograph from the 1930s.

The first automatic telephone exchange. Contemporary photography

The opening of the automatic telephone exchange on Bolshaya Ordynka became a real event in the life of Moscow and took place as a big celebration, in which several hundred people took part. People's Commissar of Posts and Telegraphs N.K. Antipov said: “Automatic telephone exchanges are the newest in telephone technology, and this newest thing is being implemented in Moscow by the Soviet government.” After the speech, the representative of the builders solemnly presented the People's Commissar with a symbolic silver key, to which the keys to the doors of the telephone exchange were soldered. A whole special ceremony took place, almost a theatrical performance. The People's Commissar entered the telephone exchange building and made the first call to the Central Station, reporting that the Zamoskvoretsky communication center had been put into operation. Then the act of opening the station was signed.

Automatic telephone exchanges were subordinate to the sectoral management departments of the Moscow city telephone network. The volume of station and linear structures increased, and the number of territories served grew. Therefore, five telephone nodes were created: Central, Zamoskvoretsky, Miussky, Arbatsky and Baumansky. They dealt with issues of operation, repair, and ongoing development of all types of structures located in the serviced area. Each node functioned as an independent enterprise, headed by a chief and chief engineer, but was subordinate to the management of MGTS. At first, the PBX was serviced by foreign specialists from large Western companies such as Ericsson. But it was not profitable for the country’s leadership to have foreign engineers at such important sites, and they had to pay too much salary. Therefore, a program was developed for the rapid training of domestic specialists, who at the same time learned to engage in “wiretapping” and monitoring telephone conversations in the interests of state security.

By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, one and a half dozen automatic telephone exchanges with a total capacity of more than one hundred and twenty thousand numbers had been built in all districts of Moscow. The era of “telephone ladies” is over. In the 1960s, the total installation of telephones in Moscow began. People have been standing in line to get a phone number for decades. During the same period, a network of street telephone booths appeared in the capital. In 1968, the first coordinated automatic telephone exchange with a capacity of ten thousand numbers began operating. The introduction of coordinate system stations changed the existing proportions between capacity growth and the number of service personnel. By 1982, one hundred and fifty-three coordinate stations operated in Moscow. At the end of the 1980s, the time came for electronic telephone exchanges. In terms of communication quality and speed of service, they were far superior to their predecessors, did not require a large number of staff, and made it possible to provide many new services: from alarm clocks and call forwarding to conference calls.

Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 25, building 2. Contemporary photography

The Museum of the History of the Moscow City Telephone Network still houses a functioning machine-type automatic telephone exchange. The first such automatic telephone exchange was built in 1930 in Moscow. It was dismantled only in 1998, when there were no such stations anywhere in the world. This station was included in the London Guinness Book of Records for the longest working experience - almost sixty-eight years. Surprisingly, it still works. Currently, there are five hundred and thirty-seven automatic telephone exchanges in Moscow with a number of lines serving more than four million subscribers. The Moscow city telephone network is one of the largest local telephone networks in the world.

Moscow's first automatic telephone exchange continues to provide residents of Zamoskvorechye with telephone communications. In 1995, a modern building was built next to the telephone exchange (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 25, building 2) with huge arched windows. If such a structure were erected near a small mansion, it would violate the character of the historical environment and the scale of the development. But next to the geometrically verified constructivist building it looks quite organic. By maintaining the main horizontal divisions of the ATS facades and using details and color, the new house blended well into the historical ensemble. Before the recent renovation, the front facade of the telephone exchange looked more solid, and the building was crowned with a beautiful inscription “Telephone”.

State Music College of Pop and Jazz Art. Contemporary photography

Passing by the next building (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 27), we will certainly hear the sounds of music coming from the windows. This is the State Music College of Pop and Jazz Art - the only educational institution in Russia in the field of pop music. It was founded in 1994 on the basis of the pop branch of the Gnessin Higher State Music School. GMKEDI trains pop artists, leaders of instrumental and vocal ensembles, and teachers.

This text is an introductory fragment. From the author's book

BIG ORDYNA. ORIGIN OF THE NAME Researchers offer more than one version of the origin of the toponym. According to prominent philologists G.P. Smolitskaya and M.V. Gorbanevsky: “The name comes from the word Orda, or rather, from the toponym Orda. The road led to the Horde, or Golden Horde,

From the author's book

BIG ORDYNKA TODAY Bolshaya Ordynka goes from Maly Moskvoretsky Bridge to Dobryninskaya Square. Its modern direction was finally formed in the 17th century. Bolshaya Ordynka has preserved for us rare architectural monuments from different eras. On this comparatively

From the author's book

Kumanin estate (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 17) But finally we came to house No. 17 on Bolshaya Ordynka. “What’s so special about it?” - you ask. A completely ordinary five-story building, differing from the others only in the complexity of its plan and decorated with an ancient fence and

From the author's book

CITY ESTATE OF THE DEBT (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 21) In the second half of the 18th century, the first-ranking merchant Afanasy Ivanovich Dolgov lived on Bolshaya Ordynka in the parish of the Church of the Icon of the Virgin Mary of All Who Sorrow. He was good to everyone: he conducted his affairs competently and with universal respect

From the author's book

INTERSTATE AVIATION COMMITTEE (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 22) From the hospitable Tolmachi along Bolshoi Tolmachevsky Lane we return to Ordynka again. On both sides of the alley are the two tallest buildings, which occupy no less than the entire block. IN

From the author's book

ROSATOM BUILDING (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 24) In a huge, simply colossal building, in comparison with the cozy Zamoskvoretsky mansions, the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is located. This house is compared to an impregnable fortress, a mighty bastion.

From the author's book

TEMPLE OF ST. NICHOLAS IN PYZHI (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 27a) Even if we had not taken our walk, but were in a hurry, for example, to work, then our gaze would certainly have stopped at the snow-white Church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhi. This is a real jewel of Bolshaya Ordynka and one of

From the author's book

Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 34, p. 13) Among the eleven buildings of the Martha and Mary Convent, the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built according to the design of the architect A.V., stands out. Shchusev in 1912. When laying the cathedral stone on May 22, 1908 (about

From the author's book

Elizabethan Gymnasium at the Marfo-Mariinsky Convent (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 36) Soon we will come to house No. 41, which belonged to Anna Timofeevna and Gennady Fedorovich Karpov. We will have a detailed conversation about this family. But it just so happened that the first one on our way

From the author's book

HOUSE OF THE KIREEVSKY-KARPOVS (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 41) An excellent architectural ensemble with the Temple of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God makes up the house of the Kireevsky-Karpovs of the early 19th century. This palace with a pedimented portico of six pilasters of the Corinthian order, standing out on the surface of the wall,

From the author's book

ELISEEV-MINDOVSKY MANSION (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 43) This house with a long facade will not leave anyone indifferent. It is surprising if only because it was extended over and over again along the red line of Bolshaya Ordynka, and not deep into the courtyard. The first owners of the mansion were nobles

From the author's book

HOUSE OF THE ARSENEVS (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 45) An outbuilding separates the Mindovsky mansion from the wonderful house of the Arsenievs, beloved by the residents of Zamoskvorechye. The Arsenyevs are the oldest and largest noble family. For all bearers of this surname there is a wonderful book by historian V.S.

From the author's book

ALEXANDRO-MARIINSKY ZAMOSKVORETSKY SCHOOL (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 47) But let’s return again to Bolshaya Ordynka. The final leg of the journey awaits us. Remember, when we were walking along Bolshoi Tolmachevsky Lane, we passed by the library named after K.D. Ushinsky. Now on

From the author's book

THE CHURCH OF CATHERINE THE GREAT MARTYR, ON VSPOLIE (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 60) The Church of Catherine the Great Martyr, ON VSPOLIE, is the last only in order, but not in importance. It's hard to believe that we won't see any more temples along the way. Our whole walk logically consisted of

From the author's book

BRANCH OF THE MALY THEATER (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 69) The Maly Theater is a phenomenon in Russian culture akin to the Tretyakov Gallery. And how good it is that Bolshaya Ordynka is crowned by the building of the Maly Theater, even if only its branch is located here. The special spirit of Maly, his philosophy and

From the author's book

FERREIN'S PHARMACY (Bolshaya Ordynka, No. 74) In 1880, a first-class pharmacist and hereditary honorary citizen Karl Ivanovich Ferrein acquired the former estate of the merchant Mark Nikitich Gusev to establish a pharmacy in it. The estate had an excellent location on the Bolshaya Spit

PBX refers to special devices that allow you to transmit signals between telephones located at a remote distance. The PBX operates not only with external networks, but also with IP, GSM, and internal networks. The main task is to provide normal communication between subscribers.

Key Features

There are various PBX functions that are not limited to the capabilities of city communications. Using the equipment, you can organize high-quality inter-district multi-channel communication. You can set up a conference call when several subscribers are participants in the conversation. Among the additional functions, we highlight the following points:

• automatic search for external call type;
• call forwarding or auto redial;
• providing a message that the city line is free;
• listening to premises at a distance;
• connection of additional equipment: fax, modem, answering machine;
• remote control using a PC.

Varieties

• Decadal-step ones are the first models that used electromechanical equipment for the distribution of communications media. A significant disadvantage of such options is constant interference due to contact oxidation and vibration.
• Coordinate devices with relay action. The operating principle is based on the use of coordinate connectors.
• Quasi-electronic devices where reed switches were used to carry out the switching process. During operation, high quality communication is achieved without interference and noise on the line. There is only one disadvantage here, but it is significant - an increased level of voltage is required, which interferes with the normal operation of other equipment.
• Electronic media have minimal capacity. The main area of ​​application is offices. Semiconductor devices control the processes.
• Digital telephone exchanges use the same type of signal. Interference and noise during use are kept to a minimum.
• IP options with wide functionality and high-quality communication capabilities.

Selecting a PBX

Which option should you prefer – analogue or digital? Analogue devices are much cheaper in price than the second options. Digital devices that guarantee high quality are considered more reliable. If analog lines are connected to a digital PBX, then the advantages apply exclusively to internal communications. If you need to establish a DECT microcellular connection or connect the CTI function with various software, you simply cannot do without a digital option.

Once you decide which type suits you best, you need to take a closer look at the telephones. There is a huge selection of models on the market from various manufacturers. The devices have buttons with indicators on which you can record frequently used phone numbers. The user can program specific functions to these buttons. Many system devices are equipped with an LCD display and speakerphones.

Manufacturers hope that users will use analog models as fax machines, and mainly use stationary models. As a result, if you do not need extensive functionality and want to save money, then analog models will be the optimal solution.

The functioning of telephone communication is carried out by connecting telephones to a telephone exchange. Provider level telephone exchanges are connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and have communication channels with other telephony providers.

Landline telephones are all telephone sets that are connected to a landline telephone exchange. Modern communications allow you to organize a connection via the SIP protocol using the Internet and an encrypted dedicated channel. When we dial a number, the information enters the PBX and it finds a subscriber who has a similar connection: provider, telephone exchange, telephone.

ATS Moscow

Moscow telephone exchange provider level, must have a mandatory channel, usually an E1 - SS7 stream or several such streams connecting a telephony operator with another operator or with several telephone operators. MGTS ensures the functioning of the public telephone network, as well as communication between telephony providers, providing a signaling standard. In addition, many telephony operators communicate with each other bypassing the MGTS network. The telephone exchange at which subscribers are registered is called a client telephone exchange; it provides communication between the telephony provider and individuals and legal entities using communication services. ATS Moscow This is an automatic telephone exchange located in Moscow and distributing telephone numbers to its subscribers in the code 495 and 499.

Operator level telephone exchange

A telephone exchange located at the telephony operator and providing interaction with other telephony operators is an operator-level PBX. Typically, operator-level telephone exchanges in Moscow interact with each other on the basis of E1 OX 7; this protocol is not used to connect subscribers, Moscow telephone exchanges operator level are located in the server telephony operators and ensure interaction between operators, routing calls from subscribers located in different networks of different operators.

Subscriber level telephone exchange

ATS Moscow providing connection of subscribers to the public telephone network, providing telephone numbers in codes 499 and 495 is a subscriber PBX. Many companies place PBXs in their servers to receive streaming telephony via E1; EDSS signaling is usually used.

Modern telephone exchange

The development of telephony and the transmission of telephone traffic over IP networks led to the creation of IP PBX. Telephone exchanges capable of transmitting telephone signals via IP networks and the Internet today are more advanced devices for organizing telephone communications. Typically these are software telephone exchanges that are installed on standard computer hardware in housings of various sizes.

A modern telephone exchange allows you to organize telephone communications with the capabilities that you need and do not have to adjust the functionality to the tasks being solved in the company in the field of telephone communications.

Canmos, as part of the provision of telephone services, has the ability to offer such modern functions as: WebRTC calls, CallBack calls and many other capabilities necessary for the office.

Advantages of IP PBX

1. IP PBX can be located anywhere on the Internet and control the operation of phones.

2. The IP network allows you to transmit telephone traffic without additional costs, so the price of IP telephony is significantly lower than telephony transmitted in a traditional way.

3. Modern PBXs can be made on the basis of open software code and a computer; the cost of such PBXs is significantly less than traditional PBXs.

4. ATS Moscow distributing numbers in code 495 or 499 to its subscribers can physically be located in a virtual machine.

IP PBX Moscow

A telephone exchange that uses the Internet or a local network - an intranet - to connect to subscribers' phones is called IP. Some IP PBXs have mixed connection capabilities with subscribers using an IP network and an inter-exchange connection via SS7; such PBXs are more secure and have higher quality communications.

For office telephony in a small office, a virtual PBX is quite sufficient, but many companies want to have their own telephone exchange for complete control of telephone conversations and the ability to configure telephone communications on their equipment. IP PBX Moscow is quite suitable for the work of such companies, let's look at what it is.

IP PBX Moscow is a telephone exchange made on the basis of a program that is installed in a case of various sizes depending on the required equipment; canmos will be able to select the necessary equipment in terms of performance and purpose for your goals and objectives.

The main difference between IP PBX Moscow and other similar ones is that the PBX already has one or more Moscow telephone numbers in the code 499 or 495.

Automatic telephone exchange

An automatic telephone exchange in Moscow is a control element of telephone communication. Automatic telephone exchanges are divided into provider-level PBXs and subscriber PBXs. By connecting with each other, telephone exchanges of providers ensure the transmission of voice information between subscribers who have connections to different providers. Subscriber automatic telephone exchanges provide services to their subscribers.

Subscriber PBXs

All subscriber PBXs are necessarily connected to the provider PBX, which transmits telephone numbers of the region in which the subscriber PBX is located. Subscriber PBX Moscow has telephone numbers in code 499 and 495, usually this is a group of numbers (stack of numbers) that are allocated to the telephony provider and which the provider itself allocates to subscribers when connecting telephone services. Due to the rapid development of IP telephony, many companies are using telephone servers instead of the good old PBX, which are much more expensive and require less programming.

Telephone servers based on a computer and asterisk or freeswitch programs are the future and are already the present of very inexpensive high-quality telephony with very wide capabilities. Asterisk is an open source program that allows you to add functionality to your PBX by writing code.

An easy connection between the PBX and the subscriber for asterisk is a huge advantage in terms of the cost of owning a telephone server. To connect the subscriber and the PBX in traditional telephone exchanges, they used two paired wires that had to be laid in the wall; sometimes they were flooded or oxidized, which disrupted the operation of all telephony. A modern telephone server can connect subscribers via an IP network, a network that has already been laid, or it can be organized in a couple of hours (Wi-Fi). Flexible configuration options and a wide range of equipment available for use make telephone communications much cheaper and of better quality.

Prices for telephone exchanges with telephones in the Moscow code - PBX

Connect telephony in Moscow

Connecting telephony in Moscow or connecting a telephone in Moscow means connecting a subscriber device (telephone) to a telephony server or PBX. Modern connection technologies make it possible to make such a connection quickly and inexpensively. To connect a mobile phone, you need to insert a SIM card into the phone, to connect an IP phone, you need to register the settings in the phone and through the Internet it will receive calls and call phone numbers. To connect office telephony in Moscow, you also need to configure all telephones or mini-PBXs of the office on the PBX of the telephony provider. For this you can use the Internet or a dedicated telephone line (telephony channel) in an optical cable. Order telephony in Moscow and the very next business day you will have a Moscow telephone number and a telephone channel with a configured virtual PBX.

Install an office IP PBX

A virtual PBX cannot always provide all the needs (if they are very broad) for telephone communications. There are some features of telephone communication in companies that can only be implemented using a PBX in the office.

The first telephone exchange in Moscow

A little history about telephone communications in Moscow! Seven minutes from our office is the famous house of the merchant Popov. Kuznetsky Most 12, now this building is undergoing renovation of the facade, but the building continues to operate and houses a museum of slot machines. In 1882, the first telephone exchange in Moscow appeared in this building. Only very rich people could afford to have a telephone at that time; the subscription fee was 250 rubles; a luxurious raccoon fur coat could be bought for 60 rubles. The monthly fee for the telephone was a fortune; only the very noble and rich people of Moscow could afford this luxury.

The subscriber was connected to another subscriber manually, this work was carried out<телефонные барышни>, who were specially selected and at the same time paid a high salary of about 30 rubles per month.

Connecting a PBX in Moscow

Order PBX

The first telephone conversation in our country took place in 1879 - between St. Petersburg and Malaya Vishera. The introduction of Russians en masse to telephone communications began with the Highest approval “On the arrangement of city telephones”, which came from the Cabinet of Ministers on September 25, 1881.

A wise statement relieved the state of responsibility for a new troublesome matter. It stated that the construction and operation of city telephone networks in Russia could be transferred to private companies for a period of up to 20 years, after which all structures and buildings within the framework of the telephone business became the property of the state. But until this moment, as long as telephone services were provided, the license holder would pay a small share to the state treasury - 10% of the subscription fee of the private sector and 5% of the fee charged to state and public institutions.

The international telephone company Bella had a concession for the construction and operation of a city telephone network in St. Petersburg, as well as in four other Russian cities.

The first St. Petersburg telephone exchange opened in July 1882 at 26 Nevsky Prospekt, in the Hansen house. At the time of its opening, it served only 128 subscribers within the city, among them Ludwig and Alfred Nobel, the Copper Rolling Pipe Plant, as well as Hooke’s plant and office, banks, newspaper editorial offices, the board of the Baltic Railway, many government agencies, but already in the fall of that In the same year, their number increased to 259. The delays were due to the fact that the City Duma and private homeowners were reluctant to allow wires to be pulled along racks through the roofs of houses. In addition, the first noble subscribers moved en masse from city apartments to their dachas and were forbidden to install a telephone in their absence.

Moreover, “installing a telephone” meant building a small farm weighing more than 8 kg. Each subscriber's apartment was equipped with: a Gileland electrical signal device, a Black microphone, a Bell telephone and a Leclange element. Quite a “restless economy”, imperfect and inconvenient to use. The microphone was located on the bottom panel, which made the speaker forced to bend over. And when removing the phone from the lever, you also had to fiddle with the lever with your hand to make sure that it was raised. The first subscribers sighed and complained about the imperfection of the technology. Their telephones were breaking down and required repair or replacement.

In the early years, the telephone was extremely expensive. And the subscriber base, both in St. Petersburg and Moscow, grew due to those who could afford to shell out 250 rubles a year. Unheard of money, if a luxurious ferret fur coat in the most expensive Fur store cost 85 rubles. In cases where the telephone set was more than three miles away from the central telephone exchange, the subscriber paid an additional 50 rubles for each mile on top of the subscription fee. Oh, dear.

It’s a pity that no one kept statistics of telephone conversations back then. But almost all of them were of a business nature. The importance of conversations dictated increased demands from the very first days of telephony. Requirements for services and those who provided them.

Historical anecdote: having just laid the wires, men were the first to be called to work for telephone companies. But they... “didn’t pull it off.” It turned out that men are easily distracted by extraneous things, and also often quarrel - among themselves or even with clients! Lost connection.

The first “telephone ladies” were educated, patient and polite. Young - from 18 to 25 years old, and unmarried - “so that unnecessary thoughts and worries do not lead to errors when connecting.” Even the “tactical and technical” characteristics of telephone operators were strictly regulated: tall for those times (from 165 cm) and the length of the body in a sitting position with arms outstretched upward was at least 128 cm. The salary was enviable - 30 rubles per month (skilled the worker received at that time about 12 rubles a month). But such work did not fit into the measured and quiet way of life of the 19th century. In 1891, a correspondent for the magazine “Electricity” sympathetically lists the professional hardships of telephone young ladies: “Nervous attacks often forced the poor woman to give up her place after just a month and a half after such a difficult application for an open vacancy.” Lev Uspensky, in the notes of an old Petersburger, was nostalgic: “The young lady could have been asked to talk quickly. The young lady could have been scolded. With her it was possible - in the late hours, when there were few connections - to have a heart-to-heart conversation, even flirt. They said that one of them so captivated either a millionaire or a grand duke with her sweet voice that she “provided for herself for life.”

An interesting fact is that the call to the telephone operator was made using a telephone set that had neither a dial nor buttons. Technologically, it looked like this: the subscriber rotated the handle of the inductor, which drove a small generator and produced a voltage of 60 volts, which went through the telephone line wires to the switchboard. At the same time, on the switchboard behind which the telephone operator was sitting, the blanker and calling valve automatically opened. You should have said something like this: “Young lady, Millionnaya, eight-two.” This meant that the girl had to plug the plug at the other end of the cord into the seventeenth socket of the second row on the panel to which the Millionnaya area devices were connected. The girl connected subscribers or contacted a neighbor who served the area where the required number was located. The telephone operators already knew by heart all the phone numbers, who was who. After this, the young lady inserted a polling plug into the socket of the called subscriber and called her personal number, since the last name could be difficult to pronounce. The subscriber specified the addressee. Now the second plug was inserted into the socket of the called number. This is how subscribers were connected. The called recipient's telephone began to ring. Then the telephone operator, making sure that there was a connection and people were talking, put the key in the neutral position and was ready to accept the next call.

After talking on the phone, the subscriber again had to rotate the inductor handle, and then the shutter valve on the switch was activated. It opened, which served as a signal for the telephone operator - you can disconnect, the conversation is over. This profession in those days was considered very responsible. It was necessary to undergo a special selection and give a sub-list of non-disclosure of personal conversations. In addition, telephone operators were given one more condition when hiring: they could only marry telecom workers, so that there was no leakage of information.

When performing official duties, signalmen of that era were required to wear closed dresses in dark colors. Working at a manual telephone exchange required concentration and good diction. At the same time, this type of professional activity was considered hazardous production.
To call outside the city network, the subscriber needed to tell the telephone operator the city and number. We ordered a conversation and waited. Such switches were called local battery or “MB”.

The girls were constantly in a state of extreme concentration. Such tension and attention is nothing like the tension when reading Fet’s poems or playing music at home. Telephone operators quickly got tired, which led to connection errors. The work of a “telephone lady” was difficult - 200 hours a month she had to sit on a hard chair with an iron microphone headset attached to her chest, heavy headphones and quickly get plugs into the cells of the switchboard that stood in front of her. In an hour, it was possible to make up to 170 calls (excluding “sorry, busy”), but the work was wearing out. Important subscribers who paid serious money were indignant and complained.

By the time the city telephone was transferred to the jurisdiction of the St. Petersburg City Council in November 1901, there were two telephone exchanges in the city with a total capacity of 4,375 numbers.

The first automatic telephone exchange in Leningrad (now the Petrograd Telephone Center) was put into operation on October 1, 1932. If this had not happened, you and I would still be picking up the phone, twisting the handle and shouting into the phone: “Miss, please give me number 2-56!”