Woman dialling 999 in a public telephone box, London
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Woman dialling 999 in a public telephone box, London
Woman dialling 999 in a public telephone box near the Royal Festival Hall on Londons South Bank, used for a fire service exhibition. Date: 1957
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14157887
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library
1957 Bank Coin Dial Directory Emergency Festival Instructions Kiosk Mirror Phone Phones Phoning Services Shilling Sixpence Slot Telephone Telephones Dialling Firefighter Firefighting Fireman Firemen Telephoning
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph, a woman is seen intently dialling the emergency number 999 from a traditional red telephone kiosk located near the Royal Festival Hall on London's South Bank. The year is 1957, and the scene transports us back to a time when making an emergency call was a more solemn and deliberate process. The woman's expression is focused and determined as she carefully inserts a sixpence coin into the slot at the top of the telephone box. With a sense of urgency, she follows the instructions printed on the wall of the kiosk, carefully aligning the dial with the numbers as she dials. The telephone directory books, which were a common sight next to public telephones in those days, are visible on the shelf below. The London Fire Brigade firemen, who would answer the call, were the unsung heroes of the time. They were the ones who would respond to emergencies, often risking their lives to save others. The photograph captures the essence of their vital role in the community, and the importance of the emergency services during the 1950s. The mirror on the wall of the telephone box reflects the woman's determined expression and the seriousness of the situation. The image is a poignant reminder of the history and traditions of the emergency services in London, and the crucial role that public telephone boxes played in connecting people with the help they needed during emergencies. This photograph, taken for a fire service exhibition, is a valuable historical document that captures a moment in time when making an emergency call was a more manual and deliberate process. It is a snapshot of a bygone era, and a testament to the bravery and dedication of the emergency services personnel who answered those calls.
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