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Hidden Histories of the Information Age

Hidden Histories of the Information Age: Episode 1: Enfield Exchange

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Episode 1

Episode 1: Enfield Exchange

Enfield Exchange

BBC Radio 4 - Hidden Histories of the Information Age, Enfield Exchange

Aleks Krotoski reveals how telephone exchanges changed young women's working lives.

With expertise from the Science Museum's curators, Aleks Krotoski uncovers the hidden histories of manual telephone exchanges and how they changed the working lives of young women.

"Hello Girls"

In 1960 the women telephonists of the Enfield exchange said goodbye to the last manual telephone exchange in Greater London. For decades they had put through calls using this plugboard machine, providing a polite and friendly voice to any caller. With the expertise of the Science Museum's Keeper of Technology, Dr Tilly Blyth, and Curator of Communication, John Liffen, Aleks Krotoski uncovers the hidden histories of the life of the exchange and how it provided a new kind of employment for young women.

Part of the Enfield Exchange is on display in the new Information Age gallery at the Science Museum. The gallery tells the story of the evolution in how we communicate with each other. The objects in the exhibition represent cultural moments from the last 200 years - not just technological innovations.

We also hear from the women who worked as telephonists about the relationship between the supervisors and operators, some of whom were only 15 years old, the aches and pains the plugboard caused and the prestige brought by a job with the GPO.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Aleks Krotoski explores innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.

Aleks Krotoski explores technological innovations and cultural events from the age of communication.

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Hidden Histories of the Information Age

Episode 1: Enfield Exchange

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