I came across this article on NPR the other day, and HOLD THE PHONE because I think The Girl and I might need to do some oversees investigative reporting to really get a grip on the situation. The iconic red phone booths in London are slowly becoming an obsolete thing of the past. Sure, people want to have their picture taken NEXT to them, but no one really steps IN them to place a call anymore. The booths have gone from 92,000 payphones in 2002 to 48,000 on the streets today. I know, I know, 48,000 is still a big number, but how sad that a tiny little relic that literally helps to define a country is losing its purpose? Time marches on, though, I guess.
Luckily, due to the 20th Century Society, some of the booths have been put on Britain’s register of historical places. I guess that protects them from disappearing from the landscape entirely.
The Girl and I LOVE the red phone booths–to us, they are as much a part of London as the Tower of London and the Queen herself. Sometimes “progress” feels almost sad, don’t you think?
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Kim says
Ever try to find a pay phone here in the US?
Mavis Butterfield says
Aww but the ones in London are so cool.
Ann says
almost all hospitals still have pay phones in the lobby
Aileen says
Hi Mavis, some communities are putting the phone boxes to great use. Have a look at this article, from phone box to mini library and related ones & smile. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-16364652
Mavis Butterfield says
I love this! Thanks for sharing Aileen. 🙂
Kimberly says
I believe Cameron’s, an English pub in Half Moon Bay here in CA, has some red booths you can visit. They have a couple double decker buses too.