1904 - Magneto set for party-lines

The telephone shown below is the first so-called party-line set and was introduced in 1904. It is manufactured in Stockholm at L. M. Ericsson.

At the introduction of the party-line system it was possible for up to four subscribers to share a telephone line. This system made it much cheaper and the telephone became now really popular in private homes as well. Subscribers who had a party-line telephone were characterised by a letter "X", "Y", "U" or "V" after the telephone number.

Having a party-line telephone became very popular through the years, and it was not until in 1978 that the last subscribers with a party-line telephone got their own line.

Post & Tele Museum - Koebmagergade 37 - Postbox 2053 - DK 1012 Copenhagen
Tel. (+45) 33 41 09 00 - email:museum@ptt-museum.dk