The Telephone Booth

In the 1920s, telephone boxes establishe themselves across the country. They are often manufactured by regional companies and initially resemble kiosks or pavilions.

From the beginning, telephone booths have glass walls and are clearly viewable from the outside for security reasons. The observation from the outside is intended to prevent criminal or improper use.

To make them more recognisable in the streets, the post office standardises telephone booths in 1932: they now have a uniform base and colour scheme. The logo with the red hand holding a receiver also indicates the function of the booth.

The National Socialists change the colour of the post office to red. The telephone boxes are repainted accordingly: They are given a propagandistic coating in red with white accents and a black base.

After 1946, booths that survived the destruction of the war are painted in the familiar yellow colour. The telephone network is expanded in both areas, yet the public network remains important: in 1963, only 14 per cent of households in West Germany have a telephone.

In the GDR, network expansion progresses slowly and telephones remain in short supply. The new telephone boxes therefore remain very important. Spontaneous visits and personal conversations are as a result more common than in the FRG.

In 1978, the appearance of telephone boxes changes: the steel constructions are slowly being replaced in West Germany by models made of glass-fibre reinforced polyester resin. The material and shape with the rounded corners are easier to maintain than their steel predecessors.

Telephone booths promise quick help in an emergency. From 1970, the post office decouples the emergency call function from the payphone. Emergency call indicators make it possible to call the police or fire brigade quickly and free of charge.

In order to be easily recognisable, the yellow houses need to stand out. At the same time, they should not unnecessarily disrupt the cityscape. Special models are therefore available for historic city centres or rural areas that pick up on half-timbered structures.

There are also variations for modern urban spaces.

The telephone boxes experience their last heyday around 1990 in the new federal states. They are hastily installed to give as many people as possible access to the telephone network. From 1992, the boxes are painted in the new Telekom colours grey, white and magenta.

The spread of mobile phones from the 1990s onwards robs the telephone box of its purpose. Telephoning on the move becomes available to everyone. In many places, telephone boxes are replaced by telephone stations. The slim columns are much cheaper to buy and operate.