defeating the dial lock

 Where I used to work

see:   https://wb9kzy.blogspot.com/2022/05/automatic-electric-tidbits.html

 there were various phone numbers for the 681 exchange.  The 7000 series could call outside the plant, also the 5000 series.  The 2000 series was just inside the plant.

But of course nobody trusts anyone so the rotary dial (yes) phones that were accessible to the hourly folks sometimes had dial locks on them so that people wouldn't be calling the real world during their break time.

a modern phone with replaceable cord and everything !

 

Before touch tone calling, a rotary dial operated by sending a stream of short clicks of the hook switch.  So putting a finger in the hole by the 7 and then rotating the dial to the stop and letting go, the dial would return back to the rest position via spring tension at an even pace.  This would put 7 pulses on the phone line.  Then you'd dial the next digit and keep going until the number was complete.


One time I was in the shop and needed to make an outside call to a vendor on one of these locked phones (my desk was 1/4 mile away).  This is where what little Morse keying skill I have came in handy.  Instead of using the dial I just hook flashed the numbers.  9 momentary presses spaced evenly and quickly get an outside line, then the rest of the 7 digits.  No Problem.

Ham radio comes through unexpectedly at times.

Best Regards,
Chuck, WB9KZY
http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm