London, England.
One of the first things we noticed on our first visit to London was the iconic red phone booths that have become an instantly recognizable sign of British telephone systems. Like the box in the image above, in the age of the ubiquitous cellular telephone, many of the boxes have been repurposed, in this case, to become an artistic floral design booth.
According to Sir Gordon Bennett’s website here, the original design first appeared in 1921, but the boxes now found are typical of a later design released in 1935. Though popular now as a British icon, there was some controversy, especially in more rural areas where the boxes were eventually painted in more muted colors befitting the landscapes in which they were placed.
On our walk about London, we passed several of the repurposed phone boxes, but this one near Hyde Park contains a functioning telephone. As I approached the box to check it out, I imagined it was another non-working symbol of an age gone by.
Inside the box, I found a more modern design phone than I expected. The heavy-duty telephone features the ability to accept credit cards as well as coins. Today, the red boxes are here to stay, but with many and varied functions, not just decorations as in the opening photo. In my research for this post, I found an article discussing the varied ways these iconic boxes have been repurposed.
The red phone box will likely continue to play a role in British culture, even as its primary function as a public call box diminishes. The boxes are a reminder of a bygone era, and they have a certain charm and nostalgia that appeals to many people. The red phone box may eventually become a purely decorative object, but it is also possible that it will find new ways to be useful in the 21st century.
On this All Hallows’ Eve, a night of magic, when ghosts and goblins roam, it is a time to let loose and have some fun and leave your fears at home.
John Steiner
My favourite re-purposing of these phone boxes is as a community book-exchange, where people place the books they’ve read, and hunt down another one.
For sure, that is a useful purpose!
Thanks for sharing the photos and the history. That’s interesting. I love seeing a pop of red it’s always eye-catching!
Their design is unmistakable, truly iconic.
Yes, indeed!
Good to know the red boxes are here to stay. Wonderful repurpose ideas!
They are so recognizable, it is good to see them being put to useful purposes.
Are there still any of this red boxes in use?
Best regards
Bernhard
Yes, in fact, the two other photos in the post feature a box with a working phone that even takes credit cards.
As you said, they’re so iconic. I found one outside the British Museum, which has been turned into a museum, the smallest museum I think.
The iconic red phone boxes of London are more than just telephone booths; they symbolize the city’s history, charm, and culture. The iconic Red Phone Box originated in the 1920s and became a symbol of British communication and heritage.