Telephone Gallery

Heath Robinson Bedroom 4 of 4

Heath Robinson Does Away with Servants - Patent Applied for by "The Sketch" in the Bedroom. A bedroom, which is a typically Heath Robinson design, with a system of pulleys, levers and machinery allowing multiple tasks to be carried out with the least effort. Mother, Father and baby all in separate beds, yet still able to fetch the morning mail, newspaper, telephone, pour tea (kept hot from the gas lamp), select a dressing gown, slippers, and even a cigarette from a spring loaded box, and no need for servants. Even the pendulum of the clock serves as a handy baby rocker. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evan"

© Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library

November 1951 by David Wright

November 1951 by David Wright, showing a woman posed on the telephone. Wright produced a series of over 160 illustrations or pin-ups for The Sketch during the 1940's. David Wright's Lovelies proved hugely popular and adorned practically every military mess, bunker, dormitory or club room in the country during World War II. He later created a series for Men Only in the 1950's of which this is one

© Estate of David Wright/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library

New dial operated telephone system

Series of three photographs showing a new automatic system of telephoning introduced in Britain in 1911. The movement of a dial operated electrical switches and magnets in the telephone exchange, a development which would eventually dispense with telephone girls

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

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