michaelman2
Well-known member
Switchboard
Delangdon..a big ol cord switchboard...!
Delangdon..a big ol cord switchboard...!
Are We ALL here as A BUSINESS
- Thread starter bostonwash
- Start date
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rinso
Well-known member
I'll be the ugly old bald gasbag salesman that has been around for years, but know his stuff.
The switchboard has to match the telex and the Steelcase....
Since we are talking vintage office equipment. Here is the computer system we should use. This is an IBM 360 model 20. I worked on this At Lafayette College here in Easton, PA in the late 70's. Behind it is the Keypunching staff using IBM 026, 029 and 129 keypunch machines. I have one keypunch card I found in some old books I had and laminated it for dafe keeping. This will work great with the switchboard.
jasonl
New member
Looka dem big hard drives
And 30 megabytes! Whoa nelly!
Got an 8 inch floppy I could use?
Actually I love vintage office equipment. One of my guilty pleasures is watching shows like Mary Tyler Moore and the Bob Newhart show to see the cool office stuff.
And 30 megabytes! Whoa nelly!
Got an 8 inch floppy I could use?
Actually I love vintage office equipment. One of my guilty pleasures is watching shows like Mary Tyler Moore and the Bob Newhart show to see the cool office stuff.
bethann
New member
Hum!
I like the idea of going on the house calls! That way I'll be the very first to walk down the steps and say, " Oh Shit!" What on earth are these old ugly pink 56's doing in here honey! I'll get these things outta here free of charge!
The ashtray idea is also wonderful. That way I can visit everyones desk smoking and bitching because I haven't found the 56's yet!
I like the idea of going on the house calls! That way I'll be the very first to walk down the steps and say, " Oh Shit!" What on earth are these old ugly pink 56's doing in here honey! I'll get these things outta here free of charge!
The ashtray idea is also wonderful. That way I can visit everyones desk smoking and bitching because I haven't found the 56's yet!
Don't forget
The IBM card sorter!
Looking at those pics above,, isn't it funny how in the brochures etc the offices were always neat and tidy but in reality there were stacks of blank card boxes and printer paper shoved against every wall and on every shelf. Everyone always grumbling about changing the paper or forms. Love the old office stuff as well. Used to be a telex and keypunch clerk in my youth. I think I could still do it blindfolded. My favorite machine of all though were the Friden Flexowriters and the fancier Singers with the paper tape and/or punch card drives. That was techno for it's day.
The IBM card sorter!
Looking at those pics above,, isn't it funny how in the brochures etc the offices were always neat and tidy but in reality there were stacks of blank card boxes and printer paper shoved against every wall and on every shelf. Everyone always grumbling about changing the paper or forms. Love the old office stuff as well. Used to be a telex and keypunch clerk in my youth. I think I could still do it blindfolded. My favorite machine of all though were the Friden Flexowriters and the fancier Singers with the paper tape and/or punch card drives. That was techno for it's day.
horrible office jobs...
When I was in college in the mid-80's, I worked for a few summers in the "Central Files" at Mutual of Omaha. My job was to pull lapsed insurance applications, working from these funky index cards that came out of this HUGE printer. There were 50 cards to a pack, and we were expected to do 8 packs a day, which was a lot harder than it sounds.
The file room was the size of a city block, three stories underground, and done in the stylish color scheme of white walls, yellow file cabinets (about 700 of them) and orange carpet. My supervisors (these two horrible middle-aged women) sat on their butts and smoked all day, and I had to take my breaks right by their desks, so that I could enjoy the smoke also. And they timed our restroom breaks.
The "file girls" (yes, that's what they were called: full timers who filed NEW insurance applications) were surly girls who tended to call in their resignations on Monday mornings after meeting "the guy" over the weekend. They were always fighting amongst themselves about something or another, and I can't say I blame them.
Once the applications were all pulled and "double checked" (yeah, right - none of us "summer help" could care less), we fed them into an early version of a scanner/microfiche thing and shredded the originals. The computer age had yet to get come to Central Files (we were underground, after all)
I would love to go back to Mutual of Omaha and see whatever became of "Central Files"
When I was in college in the mid-80's, I worked for a few summers in the "Central Files" at Mutual of Omaha. My job was to pull lapsed insurance applications, working from these funky index cards that came out of this HUGE printer. There were 50 cards to a pack, and we were expected to do 8 packs a day, which was a lot harder than it sounds.
The file room was the size of a city block, three stories underground, and done in the stylish color scheme of white walls, yellow file cabinets (about 700 of them) and orange carpet. My supervisors (these two horrible middle-aged women) sat on their butts and smoked all day, and I had to take my breaks right by their desks, so that I could enjoy the smoke also. And they timed our restroom breaks.
The "file girls" (yes, that's what they were called: full timers who filed NEW insurance applications) were surly girls who tended to call in their resignations on Monday mornings after meeting "the guy" over the weekend. They were always fighting amongst themselves about something or another, and I can't say I blame them.
Once the applications were all pulled and "double checked" (yeah, right - none of us "summer help" could care less), we fed them into an early version of a scanner/microfiche thing and shredded the originals. The computer age had yet to get come to Central Files (we were underground, after all)
I would love to go back to Mutual of Omaha and see whatever became of "Central Files"
michaelman2
Well-known member
Vintage Office Equip
Hey guys...we need to have a Mimeograph or Ditto machine in the office and then of course a Thermofax, possibly a Xerox as well.....we will need these printing options.
I am in the process of planning my class reuinion and am going to print part of the program on an old spirit duplicator (Ditto) if for no other reason so people can "smell" the damp fluid on the sheet. (tacky I know)
Hey guys...we need to have a Mimeograph or Ditto machine in the office and then of course a Thermofax, possibly a Xerox as well.....we will need these printing options.
I am in the process of planning my class reuinion and am going to print part of the program on an old spirit duplicator (Ditto) if for no other reason so people can "smell" the damp fluid on the sheet. (tacky I know)
Friden Flexowriters
Hadn't thought of them for years. These were the first I used or sent to Flex for coding I did for oil exploration company. Miles of tape sometimes for programs. Have a whole spool and center drops out then had ro ahnd rewind the tape. The flex tape was fed into a 8 k computer used this late 60's through about 1975. Still have some old tape somewhere.
Hadn't thought of them for years. These were the first I used or sent to Flex for coding I did for oil exploration company. Miles of tape sometimes for programs. Have a whole spool and center drops out then had ro ahnd rewind the tape. The flex tape was fed into a 8 k computer used this late 60's through about 1975. Still have some old tape somewhere.
spiralactivator
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2004
- Messages
- 344
One ringy-dinghy...
Put me on the switchboard. I'll be Earnestine the operator.
Put me on the switchboard. I'll be Earnestine the operator.
I was leaning more towards New Heywood Wakefield. its not as
Here is what I see in our office: a davenport and 2 club chairs, (from the Madeline seires covered in fabric 032773-09 see link below to see what the furniture and fabric looks like), a round cocktail table and a step end table with drawer on either side of the davenport. I see gray walls and a nice area rug (like the one in your living room) on top of an Armstrong tile floor like the tile in your living room). On the wall opposite the davenport I see a couple of tall bookcases that hold all our customer service awards. On each end table a big pink googie inspired ashtray and a vintage electric cigarette lighter and on one end table a mint green Ericophone. I see a sputnik chandlier over the sitting area and on each of our desks (which face each other from oppsite sides of the room so we can both enjoy the view down onto the showroom floor) those very 50's metal desk lamps in a light almost minty green. Because we live in the age of pushbutton telephone menu's our phones would belate 1960's early 1970's white Western Electric 2500's with hardwired handesets and line cords and 5 lines. As for typewrites I prefer the mid 50's Royal electrics (we had one in our family for years that was mint green and would be a great match to the desk lamps I am thinking of). We mustn't forget are modern 50's desk sets that include a pen as well as a pencil nor can we forget to have desk blotters to protect the finish of our beautiful desks. As for our files, they would be kept in a seperate file room which would ajoin our office so we wouldn't spoil our beautiful decor with those ugly file cabinets. Well what cha ya think Dan?????????? take a look at the link below and you will see all the stuff I am talking about.
PAT COFFEY
heywood-wakefield.com
Here is what I see in our office: a davenport and 2 club chairs, (from the Madeline seires covered in fabric 032773-09 see link below to see what the furniture and fabric looks like), a round cocktail table and a step end table with drawer on either side of the davenport. I see gray walls and a nice area rug (like the one in your living room) on top of an Armstrong tile floor like the tile in your living room). On the wall opposite the davenport I see a couple of tall bookcases that hold all our customer service awards. On each end table a big pink googie inspired ashtray and a vintage electric cigarette lighter and on one end table a mint green Ericophone. I see a sputnik chandlier over the sitting area and on each of our desks (which face each other from oppsite sides of the room so we can both enjoy the view down onto the showroom floor) those very 50's metal desk lamps in a light almost minty green. Because we live in the age of pushbutton telephone menu's our phones would belate 1960's early 1970's white Western Electric 2500's with hardwired handesets and line cords and 5 lines. As for typewrites I prefer the mid 50's Royal electrics (we had one in our family for years that was mint green and would be a great match to the desk lamps I am thinking of). We mustn't forget are modern 50's desk sets that include a pen as well as a pencil nor can we forget to have desk blotters to protect the finish of our beautiful desks. As for our files, they would be kept in a seperate file room which would ajoin our office so we wouldn't spoil our beautiful decor with those ugly file cabinets. Well what cha ya think Dan?????????? take a look at the link below and you will see all the stuff I am talking about.
PAT COFFEY
Classic American Modern Furniture
Exceptionally crafted Mid-century Modern furniture Every piece of Heywood-Wakefield furniture is hand-made to order in Winchendon, MA. Built from sustainable-sourced Northern Yellow Birch, our pieces are built and finished to last a life time. Our collection features some of the 20th century's...
heywood-wakefield.com
There would be a sight
Spiralactivator with his hand stuck in his shirt like Ernestine saying "One ringy-dingy (snort) two ringy-dingys (snort)!!"
Spiralactivator with his hand stuck in his shirt like Ernestine saying "One ringy-dingy (snort) two ringy-dingys (snort)!!"
for me it would be accounting work... love taking inventory..it's very *HANDS ON*
Jason BTW hard-drives work better and do more than floppies!
Jason BTW hard-drives work better and do more than floppies!
Pat, you've got my sign-off on the office furniture!
Just add a few Philodendrens in fiberglass planters, and we'll be all set ;-)
Just add a few Philodendrens in fiberglass planters, and we'll be all set ;-)
bostonwash
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2005
- Messages
- 223
Wow what a vision !
Speaking of Ernestine, visions of Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda pursuing Dabney Cohlman (probly spelled wrong) in "9 to 5" come to mind. Aww, I miss the 70s and 80s styles.
I think my office ideal would have to be in a building similiar to the Peachtree building in Atlanta or the GM towers in Detroit. Laminate tables and furniture, the AT&T Merlin Phone system, and offices that look more like Blake and Alexis Carringtons from "Dynasty".
Still, the walk down memory lane from the various perspectives is so cool. Who knew that there was also an interest in office furniture.
Apparently several people associate working with smoking?
Such a group thing working "back then" seemed to be. These days it would seem most of these jobs are eliminated do to computers, robots, or outsourcing.
Like the pictures especially the moderm switchboard with rotary dial pad.
Now I'm wondering if there is a group for Office furniture/technology.
I call a prime upper floor spot in the Parking garage and someone punch my time card, I need to get something to eat from the cafeteria. I heard they are serving Spam with mushroom sauce with a side of mashed potatoes.
Speaking of Ernestine, visions of Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda pursuing Dabney Cohlman (probly spelled wrong) in "9 to 5" come to mind. Aww, I miss the 70s and 80s styles.
I think my office ideal would have to be in a building similiar to the Peachtree building in Atlanta or the GM towers in Detroit. Laminate tables and furniture, the AT&T Merlin Phone system, and offices that look more like Blake and Alexis Carringtons from "Dynasty".
Still, the walk down memory lane from the various perspectives is so cool. Who knew that there was also an interest in office furniture.
Apparently several people associate working with smoking?
Such a group thing working "back then" seemed to be. These days it would seem most of these jobs are eliminated do to computers, robots, or outsourcing.
Like the pictures especially the moderm switchboard with rotary dial pad.
Now I'm wondering if there is a group for Office furniture/technology.
I call a prime upper floor spot in the Parking garage and someone punch my time card, I need to get something to eat from the cafeteria. I heard they are serving Spam with mushroom sauce with a side of mashed potatoes.
geextrarinse
Well-known member
Now that you've all had your tangents...
I really think the best business here would be what we are already doing - preserving culture and restoring the good old things. I know that I'd rather pay to have a completely overhauled vintage washer than any one of those pieces of crap out there today. I know they use more water but I'm saving the earth from more rubbish by restoring than throwing out. I'd pay one of you guys on here to rebuild my machines for me anyday! The whole idea of some of your restorations makes my head spin. I feel we have the same passion for appliances that other people have for vintage cars. The sounds, the lines, the simple or complex design we just don't see anymore - whats the difference? We also know and love quality when we see it. These are things I would always want to know I was getting from anything I purchased. And you know this is not the case anymore! So I guess my contribution would be a machine engineer and designer. Its's fun and yet so involved with the overall process. I'll leave the vintage office eqpt and front of the house work to you guys- I'll be in my office tinkering with old models to make the best of the new. But here's a question... Would we create our own model line and name brand or would we have special divisions of old ones? Could we for example buy an old name and redo-it in the original look but with newer technology though still inspired by the original. Millenium Bendix anyone?- Look what Christopher Radko is doing with Shiny-Brite Christmas ornaments - and at $55.00/box of 6! - I believe they were around 55cents when they were originally sold!
Anyway- this is my two cents - what do you all think?
I really think the best business here would be what we are already doing - preserving culture and restoring the good old things. I know that I'd rather pay to have a completely overhauled vintage washer than any one of those pieces of crap out there today. I know they use more water but I'm saving the earth from more rubbish by restoring than throwing out. I'd pay one of you guys on here to rebuild my machines for me anyday! The whole idea of some of your restorations makes my head spin. I feel we have the same passion for appliances that other people have for vintage cars. The sounds, the lines, the simple or complex design we just don't see anymore - whats the difference? We also know and love quality when we see it. These are things I would always want to know I was getting from anything I purchased. And you know this is not the case anymore! So I guess my contribution would be a machine engineer and designer. Its's fun and yet so involved with the overall process. I'll leave the vintage office eqpt and front of the house work to you guys- I'll be in my office tinkering with old models to make the best of the new. But here's a question... Would we create our own model line and name brand or would we have special divisions of old ones? Could we for example buy an old name and redo-it in the original look but with newer technology though still inspired by the original. Millenium Bendix anyone?- Look what Christopher Radko is doing with Shiny-Brite Christmas ornaments - and at $55.00/box of 6! - I believe they were around 55cents when they were originally sold!
Anyway- this is my two cents - what do you all think?
