The subscriber, after looking up in the directory the desired number, takes the telephone off the hook, which causes a tiny electric light to glow in front of the operator assigned to answer his calls. (In some exchanges equipped with a magneto system, a drop is released by the turning of a crank.)] [Illustration: The arrow indicates the light as it appears on the switchboard. Each operator can connect a caller with any subscriber in that exchange, but she is assigned to answer the calls of only a limited number of subscribers whose signals are these lights showing at her particular position.] [Illustration: She takes up a brass-tipped cord, inserts the tip, or “plug,” into the hole, or “jack,” just above the light, at the same time throwing a key with the other hand in order to switch her transmitter line into direct communication with the caller, and says: “Number?”] [Illustration: The caller replies by giving the name of the exchange and the number he wants, as for example, “Main 1268.” The operator repeats the number, “One-two-six-eight,” pronouncing each digit with clear articulation, to insure its correctness, and, if it be from a subscriber in the Main Exchange, she--] [Illustration: Takes up the cord which is the team mate, or “pair,” of the one with which she answered the caller, locates the jack numbered 1268, and “tests” the line by tapping the tip of the plug for a moment on the sleeve of the “jack” to ascertain if the line is “busy.” If no click sounds in her ear she--] [Illustration: Pushes in the plug and with her other hand operates a key on the desk. The first action connects the line of the subscriber called; the second rings his bell. When either party hangs up his receiver, a light glows on the switchboard desk, showing the operator that the conversation is ended.] [Illustration: THE CENTRAL TERMINAL OF YOUR TELEPHONE A MULTIPLE SWITCHBOARD] [Illustration: THE BACK OF A MULTIPLE SWITCHBOARD] [Illustration: THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE TELEPHONE, 109 COURT STREET, BOSTON On the top floor of this building, in 1875, Prof. Bell carried on his experiments and first succeeded in transmitting speech by electricity] How the Telephone Came to Be. It is hard to realize that there was once a time, not so very many years ago, when the telephone was regarded as a scientific toy and hardly anyone could be found willing to invest any money in the development of the telephone business. [Illustration: ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL IN 1876] [Illustration: THOMAS A. WATSON IN 1874] The story of Professor Alexander Graham Bell’s wonderful invention is full of romantic interest and the early days of its exploitation were replete with dramatic incidents. ~THE MEN WHO MADE THE TELEPHONE~