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The Dial Comes To Town

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1.1M views13 years ago1 recommendation

History and cultureHistory of computingThe tech industry

A 1940 educational short film by Bell Telephone explaining to customers how to use the newly introduced rotary dial telephones.

A 1940 educational short by Bell Telephone to show customers that were recieving new dial phones how to use the new device, and why they were getting these new sets. From Archive.org: archive.org/details/DialComesToT

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1 person recommends this

What people say. Shared as a historical example of the massive educational effort required to introduce now-intuitive technologies to the public.

tzson Hacker News • Recommends

On “Making VoIP Calls with Antique Rotary Phones”

For those who don't know how to use a rotary dial phone, here is a 1940 educational movie by Bell Telephone they made to teach customers about this new technology 1. 1 link to this video
View on Hacker News

nitwit005on Hacker News • Mentions

On “I spent the day teaching seniors how to use an iPhone”

Telephones only seem intuitive because we got taught to use them as kids. If you look back, there was a massive effort to teach people to use them. You can still find some of the educational films: link to this video
View on Hacker News

2143on Hacker News • Mentions

On “Apple WWDC 2026 Livestream”

I think this “awesome”, “amazing”, “super exciting” phase came much later than the moon walking era. Remember it’s been over 50 years since humans walked on the moon. Much has changed. See these old videos, where people talk in a straightforward way: Car transmission link How to dial your phone link The dial comes to town link to this video Now go watch that Apple video again and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
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Stratoscopeon Hacker News • Mentions

On “How RCA Victor sold Sound Service to classrooms in 1939”

The Bell System did this when dial telephone service was first introduced. They held town meetings with a giant rotary dial onstage where someone explained it and demonstrated how to dial your calls. And they made an instructional film about it! link to this video
View on Hacker News