The Museum Collection Centre: Photos – Page 1


Image © Frank Parker

Here are photos I took on my first visit to the Museum Collection Centre on 17/09/22.

In front of the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
A telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
A telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Instructions on a telephone exchange model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker

This model demonstrates the Stowger, or step-by-step,  system of automatic telephony.

I used to love having a go on this model exchange system at the old Science Museum when I was younger in the 1970’s, going with my Mom and family, then on my own or with friends in the 1980’s and then with my kids when they were younger in the 1990’s. Good times.

Read more about the Stowger switch here.

Telecom speaking clock Mark I speaking parts in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker

Part of the earliest version (1936) of the Post Office Speaking Clock.  This MK I version used audio recordings of the time to send a message giving an accurate time check by telephone.

Read about the Speaking Clock here.

Telecom speaking clock Mark III control gear in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Telecom speaking clock Mark III control gear in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Telecom speaking clock Mark III control gear in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker

Read about the Speaking Clock here.

A K6 telephone box in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker

Used after 1952 until withdrawal in 1986 in Birmingham.  It contains the last Payphone used in the City before the introduction of STD in 1986/7.

This reminds me of the one over the road from my old house in Hurst Lane, Shard End on the right-hand corner in the 70’s and 80’s.  I remember at one time in the 80’s the coin box was broken and every time you put your money in (2p or 10p) it would come out and usually give you a bit more.  It was like a free fruit machine courtesy of BT! 

Read about the iconic red phone box here. 

A candle light in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
In Tudor times a contraption of stand and jaw was used to clamp round-bottomed flasks of water. These were used to focus and intensify the light of the candles using a similar principle to starting a fire by focussing sunlight with a magnifying glass. They created a very bright light in a small area, and were used by lacemakers and embroiders who needed good light to work from. Using several stands and flasks meant that a team could work together under one candle.

Read about the Tudor times here.
A Birmingham gun makers workshop model in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Unknown in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker
Unknown in the Museum Collection Centre: Image © Frank Parker

This is another thing I have fond memories of having a go on in the old Science Museum back in the day.   Back then if a museum had a button to press you could bet your life I would press it.  Nothing has changed now I am older, especially in a shop with toys etc.  If it says press me or try me (or even if it doesn’t) then it has to be done! 

Blog Posts

Notes And Links

All the above images are copyright of Frank Parker. 

Museum Collection Centre on Facebook.

Museum Collection Centre on Twitter.

Birmingham Museums Collection – Find out more about Birmingham’s collections including art and design, human history, natural science and science and industry categories.  Each category contains sub-categories full of useful information and great photos.

Birmingham Museums Trust’s Digital Asset Resource – Official website.  There is no registration or log-in required to use this website for out-of-copyright collection images  Download free Public Domain image files up to 3mb in size with free Creative Commons licenses.  You are entitled to unlimited downloads.  Also download free Audio Files complete with a license.  These can be downloaded for non-commercial use only and attribution is required.

BirminghamMAG – Official YouTube channel.   Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery provide world-class museums at the cultural heart of Birmingham.

Birmingham Museums – Official website.

Thinktank: Birmingham Science Museum – Official website.

Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery – Official website.

Aston Hall – Official website.

Blakesley Hall – Official website.

Museum Of The Jewellery Quarter – Official website.

Sarehole Mill – Official website.

Soho House – Official website. 

Weoly Castle – Official website.

Wikipedia – Official website.  This is a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.