With Chinese New Year upon us Jean & I are Blogging items that have a red connection 😉
Not as famous here as their blue counterpart, the Police telephone Box famous as the iconic disguised time travelling space craft used by Dr Who, the red public phone box/kiosk designed by Sir Giles Gilbert & introduced within the UK in 1920. Red was the chosen colour as it is easy to spot was a familiar sight on the streets of the United Kingdom, Malta, Bermuda and Gibraltar. Despite a reduction in their numbers in recent years, this traditional telephone box can still be seen in many places throughout the UK, and in current or former British colonies around the world. It is often seen as an iconic British symbol.
throughout the world.
Redundant Red Phone Boxes Re-used
Red public phone box and red mail post box. Interior of a red phone box with restored Series 200 black Bakelite telephone used up-to the 1960s
With the development and mass introduction of mobile and smart phones, the red public phone box was largely to become redundant and a relic of the past. Many were demolished, in some areas newer rather boring looking dark glass and metal phone boxes were erected.
For heritage reasons, some red boxes remain as working phone boxes. British T
elecom allowed some requesting local communities and groups retain some stripped out red phone boxes.
These well made and sturdy boxes have been put to a variety of innovative uses. Many have become mini libraries/book exchanges in small communities. One has been used to store a an emergency heart defibrillator. Some boxes find a home in enthusiasts gardens.
