POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Gold Phone' coin operated public telephone

Object No. 86/1112

Designed by a prominent Australian industrial designer, this was probably one of Paul Schremmer's most well known designs. The Gold Phone was widely used in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s and phased out in 2006. This object represents a unique time in the development of telecommunications technology in Australia. Since the Gold Phone was in use the numbers of payphones have declined, having been replaced by the use of personal mobile phones. But public telephones or payphones are still critical for people on low incomes - and in emergency situations when mobile phone services are disrupted. By 2013 there were almost 19 000 payphones in Australia that would continue to be maintained by Telstra for at least another 20 years.* Angelique Hutchison Curator 2013 *Battersby, L. 'Telstra strikes a deal on payphones', Sydney Morning Herald, 2 Feb 2013, http://www.smh.com.au/business/telstra-strikes-a-deal-on-payphones-20130201-2dqcl.html, accessed 13 Nov 2013.

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Summary

Object Statement

Telephone and accessories, 'Gold Phone', plastic / metal, designed by Paul Schremmer and Associates with Telecom Australia, Standard Telephones and Cables (STC) and Anritsu Electric Company (Japan), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1981-1985, made by Standard Telephones and Cables (STC), Australia, May 1986

Physical Description

Coin operated public telephone. Orange metal base with plastic sloping top in black with silver print explaining how to use the phone. Chrome metal coin slot at top which accepts 10c, 20c, 50c and $1 coins, liquid crystal (LCD) display and 12 push buttons in white plastic. Lower front has refund window and chute and space for telephone number. Orange plastic handset attached via coiled cord rests in cradle on top of phone. One side of phone has 3 keyholes and lead for attachment to plug. Also includes keys to access phone for maintenance, junction box, instruction booklet and defect card.

DIMENSIONS

Height

280 mm

Width

260 mm

Depth

258 mm

PRODUCTION

Notes

Designed by Paul Schremmer and Associates, Sydney, 1981-1985 in collaboration with Telecom Australia, STC (Standard Telephones and Cables) and Anritsu Electric Company (Japan) Manufactured by Standard Telephones and Cables in May 1986, Australia Reference 'The Gold Phone', Design World, Number 7, 1985, p 22-27. Australian Registered Design 85914

HISTORY

Notes

Purchased from Telecom Australia

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 1986

Acquisition Date

15 August 1986

Copyright for the above image is held by the Powerhouse and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please submit an Image Licensing Enquiry for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivative licence.

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