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The Working White House: Electric Call-button Box

The Working White House: Electric Call-button Box

Electric call-button box, c. 1930. The earliest communication system in the White House was a set of call bells, but by the mid-1800s, the president could summon a staff member by means of an “electric” (battery-operated) device. Wiring the White House for electricity in 1891 paved the way for simple call-button boxes such as this set.

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Lent by The White House