October 11, 1983

On October 11, 1983, technology caught up with Bryant Pond, Maine. On this date, the last of the hand-cranked telephones in the United States went out of service. The 440 telephone customers of Bryant Pond were switched to direct-dial. To put in perspective how horse-and-buggy Bryant Pond was, the first 1G cellphone system was started in America on March 6, 1983. So, in 1983, there were people in America still using a hand-cranked telephone while other Americans were carrying their telephones with them.

About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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2 Responses to October 11, 1983

  1. The PUNisher says:

    Do you know why they finally switched the residents of Bryant Pond to direct dial?…

    …To stop them from making CRANK CALLS.

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