Header: FUN FACT FRIDAY Main text: Not long after the invention of the telephone itself was the first “Private Branch Exchange” or PBX installed: in 1879, at the Old Soldier’s Home in Dayton, Ohio. This rudimentary phone system let them have their central telephone line connected to seven internal extensions via a switchboard. AT&T began offering standardized PBXs like this in 1902, and introduced automated PBXs in the 1960s, removing the switchboard. Caption below main text: This switchboard is from a Private Manual Branch Exchange system, and an operator would use it to connect extensions to incoming and outgoing lines. Bottom right corner: CommPath logo Image content: A vintage wooden manual telephone switchboard with rows of jacks, cords, switches, and indicator lights.
☎️ Fun Fact Friday: The first PBX in 1879 was literally a wooden switchboard operated by hand. From 7 extensions to today’s fully unified cloud systems, business communications have come a long way. #FunFactFriday #PBX #BellSystem