Operator Collection (#11)

Operating a wool-winding machine
A woman operating and checking a huge wool winding machine at Patons & Baldwins factory at Darlington. Patons & Baldwins was one of the largest manufacturers of knitting yarn in the UK between

Home Guard WWII
A member of the Home Guard working as a Press Operator on a 250 ton press as part of the war effort on the home front during World War II

Refueling a British Road Services truck
A promotional photograph for British Road Services. Here a truck of the fleet is refueled at a trade pump. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Printing Machine Operator checks a proof
A printing machine operator checks proofs, as they leave the press. A fine study in concentration. Photograph by Heinz Zinram

Aswan - Scene on the River Nile with Paddlesteamer
The Rameses III, one of the paddle steamers operated by Thomas Cook & Son for excursions on the Nile- here seen as Aswan

Travelling telephone in use on a express train
A travelling call office, a telephone in use on an American express train. The train ran from Salt Lake, Utah to the mining camp of Ely, Nevada

Electric Telegraph in US
The electric telegraph in use during the American Civil War: General Ulyssess Grant and his operator

MODERN TELEPHONE
A modern office telephone which enables the operator to put calls on hold before tranferring them

A Workman above the average
A telephone operator suspended on a wire outside the Law Courts in London in 1909

Russia Telephone Exhange
Workers at a telephone exchange in Russia

Soviet Radio Operator
Soviet shortwave radio operator communicating with forces behind the enemy lines

Female operator, Howe Bridge, Lancashire
Female operator wiping the flyers in the old section of the Cardroom at Howe Bridge Cotton Spinning Co. Atherton, Lancashire

Woman Tractor Operator
Woman tractor operator on a communal farm

Merlins Wheelchair
Merlins Mechanical Chair has built-in controls enabling it to be adjusted and propelled in any required direction, at the pleasure of the operator

C18 FIRE-ENGINES 1735
18th century fire-engines made by a firm which became Merryweathers. The engine on the left is from Windsor Castle

Hodge Steam Fire-Engine
The Hodge Steam fire-engine. The first recorded attempt at fire prevention in New York City was in 1659, and this locomotive-style engine is the first native-built engine

Monitor Water Pump / Jet
A large Monitor water pump, providing a powerful jet, mounted onboard the Beta III fire-boat of the London Fire Brigade

Tattooing, Japan
An English officer posted to Japan has his arm tattooed by a native operator

SATURATOR
This machines represents the state of the art in saturation technology, saturating superb- the so long as the operator keeps turning the handle. Its used in making fizzy drinks

Otis Hydraulic Lift
Two ladies bravely enter an OTIS hydraulic lift, which the operator will cause to descend by hauling on the rope, the weight of the lift being counterbalanced with water

Magnetic Operator
The Operator putting his Patient into a Crisis

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"Capturing the Essence of 'Operator': A Journey through Time and Technology" From the bustling cotton weaving shed in Preston, Lancashire to the intricate world of metalwork, operators have been at the heart of industrial progress. Witnessing the skillful hands of cotton weavers at their looms in Preston, Lancashire reminds us that operators have long played a vital role in facilitating production processes. The telephone switchboard: an iconic symbol of communication revolution since its inception in 1929 at the Telephone Exchange. Stepping into history with a glimpse of the switchboard at Newcastle Telephone Exchange on January 24th, 1931 - where connections were made and lives changed forever. Survivors from tragic events like those aboard Empress of Ireland remind us that even amidst chaos, skilled operators provided crucial assistance and support. Beyond telecommunication duties, operators found themselves refueling not only machines but also human connection – just like this mini being filled up for another journey ahead. Peering into London's Metropolitan Police operations room reveals how operators worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes to maintain law and order throughout the city's streets. Celebrating completion as Earls Court station opens its doors to commuters; a testament to operator expertise ensuring smooth transportation for all passengers. A mesmerizing sight unfolds as a long line of telephone switchboards stands tall - each representing countless conversations connecting people across distances near and far. WWII brought challenges aplenty but London's telephone exchange remained resilient thanks to dedicated operators who kept lines open amidst adversity.