Last public pay phone in NYC removed from streets:

www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1100931534/last-pay-phone-new-york-city-public-nyc


New York City pay phones are officially a thing of history. The last public pay phone was removed from the streets of midtown Manhattan on Monday. Apparently there are still some "private" pay phones scattered around  Manhattan, but I'm not exactly sure what a private pay phone even is.

Strangely, I miss the days of pay phones, even though I used them only sporadically. I somehow got a feeling of security knowing they were there that I simply don't get from cell phones. Even though pay phones could often be dirty and smelly with an absolutely unique pungent odor on the mouthpiece of thousands of people's bad breath.

And if you want to go way back, I remember when pay phones actually came with a phone book (another obsolete item) attached to them by a chain.

The same is happening here in the UK, the iconic red kiosk phone boxes are going, but some do remain as book exchange libraries.

Last public pay phone in NYC removed from streets:

www.npr.org/2022/05/24/1100931534/last-pay-phone-new-york-city-public-nyc


New York City pay phones are officially a thing of history. The last public pay phone was removed from the streets of midtown Manhattan on Monday. Apparently there are still some "private" pay phones scattered around  Manhattan, but I'm not exactly sure what a private pay phone even is.

Strangely, I miss the days of pay phones, even though I used them only sporadically. I somehow got a feeling of security knowing they were there that I simply don't get from cell phones. Even though pay phones could often be dirty and smelly with an absolutely unique pungent odor on the mouthpiece of thousands of people's bad breath.

And if you want to go way back, I remember when pay phones actually came with a phone book (another obsolete item) attached to them by a chain.

I can definitely remember pay phones back in the days when they all around the town during The 80's and 90's growing up and I think I can remember when pay phones had a phone book attached to a cord when you had to make a phone call and you needed to look someone up.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FPJ__ffVsAMFLne.jpg:large

The same is happening here in the UK, the iconic red kiosk phone boxes are going, but some do remain as book exchange libraries.


Among the most iconic of them all...

https://stmargarets.london/assets/images/2016/BOWIE_ziggy_stardust_album_back.jpg

Among the most iconic of them all...

https://stmargarets.london/assets/images/2016/BOWIE_ziggy_stardust_album_back.jpg
O0

If there is any London location which can be justifiably described as THE Ziggy Stardust "shrine" it would have to be Heddon Street where Bowie posed outside #23 for the Front cover and inside a traditional red London phonebox for the Back cover of the Ziggy album.

A duplicate of the original phone box remains, tucked away and still working in a side alley and in 2012 a plaque was put up outside.

https://img.atlasobscura.com/XZyg3gJ_6BxfSQSk543oyIyDUGk3ki-PZUsRYLDSh0k/rt:fit/h:390/q:81/sm:1/scp:1/ar:1/aHR0cHM6Ly9hdGxh/cy1kZXYuczMuYW1h/em9uYXdzLmNvbS91/cGxvYWRzL3BsYWNl/X2ltYWdlcy9kNjE5/YmRlMmQ2M2FkODc0/YTJfMTAyNHB4LVpp/Z2d5X1N0YXJkdXN0/X3BsYXF1ZS5qcGc.jpg

There is one phone box in London, in Westminster Square, that will not be removed.

https://images.megapixl.com/40/401956.jpg

Many tourists have they photos taken there, I have even seen intended married couples having photo shoots as well.

Outside Earl's Court Underground Station there is a police phone box, a Doctor Who Tardis.

https://c1.vgtstatic.com/pic/9546.jpg

The structure next to it, is a newspaper stand.

Also, on the roof of Storage Business company in West London, another Tardis, but the company changes the item on the roof to airplanes or tanks, etc.

https://www.vanguardstorage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/tardis-roof-768x1024.jpg

The same is happening here in the UK, the iconic red kiosk phone boxes are going, but some do remain as book exchange libraries.


I'm glad you have those there too. We have them here and call them "little free libraries". "Take a book, leave a book". I love the idea of this. The "sharing economy" at it's best. Around here they are usually small, cabinet-like boxes that people erect. If the red phone boxes have to go, this is a great way to repurpose them.

I'm glad you have those there too. We have them here and call them "little free libraries". "Take a book, leave a book". I love the idea of this. The "sharing economy" at it's best. Around here they are usually small, cabinet-like boxes that people erect. If the red phone boxes have to go, this is a great way to repurpose them.
I certainly have the book to give them, but I do not wish from too many at my home.

https://i2-prod.mylondon.news/incoming/article20019884.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_AMAR-CAFE-CHISWICK-5JPG.jpg
A London couple have been transforming them into London's smallest coffee shops throughout lockdown. Since first setting up a coffee shop in a telephone box in Chiswick a week before the lockdown begun, they now have three sites across London.
https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/gallery/londons-smallest-coffee-shops-inside-20019624

I certainly have the book to give them, but I do not wish from too many at my home.

https://i2-prod.mylondon.news/incoming/article20019884.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_AMAR-CAFE-CHISWICK-5JPG.jpg
A London couple have been transforming them into London's smallest coffee shops throughout lockdown. Since first setting up a coffee shop in a telephone box in Chiswick a week before the lockdown begun, they now have three sites across London.
https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/gallery/londons-smallest-coffee-shops-inside-20019624


I wonder why a coffee shop needs a Marshall guitar amp? Although that's awfully small for a Marshall. May be a small refrigerator or cabinet painted to look like a Marshall.

I wonder why a coffee shop needs a Marshall guitar amp? Although that's awfully small for a Marshall. May be a small refrigerator or cabinet painted to look like a Marshall.
I wondered the same thing, if I can locate one of the 'phone coffee shops' I will go and ask them.

So where is Superman gonna change and also what about the visitors entrance to the Ministry of Magic in London?


Cat

So where is Superman gonna change and also what about the visitors entrance to the Ministry of Magic in London?


Cat


I don't think Superman has changed in a phone booth for some time now.

I don't think Superman has changed in a phone booth for some time now.
In the films, I cannot remember which ones, I recall Clark Kent jumping out of a window and changing while falling, and running at full speed while changing.

I'm glad you have those there too. We have them here and call them "little free libraries". "Take a book, leave a book". I love the idea of this. The "sharing economy" at it's best.

I'm surprised no one called it communism yet. :D ;D ;)
We've got those here too and also use old pay phone booths for that.

I think I last used a payphone when I was in the military 20 years ago.

I have a story to tell about payphones. Back in 1981, I was sent by my wife to the Passport Office in London for a particular reason, of which I cannot remember now. During the cause of the afternoon when I was there, I had to phone my wife back at home, and when I reach a line of payphones at St James' Park Tube Station, there were queues at each phone, this seemed strange to me. So I waited for my turn. When I got home, I was to learn that day Prince Charles had proposed to Lady Diana Spencer, and it would be the press phoning their reports to their respective papers. Buckingham Palace is close to St James' Park and these were the nearest phones at hand.

I have a story to tell about payphones. Back in 1981, I was sent by my wife to the Passport Office in London for a particular reason, of which I cannot remember now. During the cause of the afternoon when I was there, I had to phone my wife back at home, and when I reach a line of payphones at St James' Park Tube Station, there were queues at each phone, this seemed strange to me. So I waited for my turn. When I got home, I was to learn that day Prince Charles had proposed to Lady Diana Spencer, and it would be the press phoning their reports to their respective papers. Buckingham Palace is close to St James' Park and these were the nearest phones at hand.


That's the ay people did things then. And they typed their stories on typewriters.

That's the ay people did things then. And they typed their stories on typewriters.
... and cameras were only cameras, a phone was only a phone, and research meant going to the local library.

... and cameras were only cameras, a phone was only a phone, and research meant going to the local library.


And film from cameras had to be developed. Unless you were using a Polaroid.

There is one phone box in London, in Westminster Square, that will not be removed.

https://images.megapixl.com/40/401956.jpg

Many tourists have they photos taken there, I have even seen intended married couples having photo shoots as well.

Why won't they remove it?  ???

I certainly have the book to give them, but I do not wish from too many at my home.

https://i2-prod.mylondon.news/incoming/article20019884.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/0_AMAR-CAFE-CHISWICK-5JPG.jpg
A London couple have been transforming them into London's smallest coffee shops throughout lockdown. Since first setting up a coffee shop in a telephone box in Chiswick a week before the lockdown begun, they now have three sites across London.
https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/gallery/londons-smallest-coffee-shops-inside-20019624


Wow, that's really cool. O0

There is one phone box in London, in Westminster Square, that will not be removed.

https://images.megapixl.com/40/401956.jpg

Many tourists have they photos taken there, I have even seen intended married couples having photo shoots as well.

Why won't they remove it?  ???

So where is Superman gonna change and also what about the visitors entrance to the Ministry of Magic in London?


Cat

Tell Superman to change at home.

And film from cameras had to be developed. Unless you were using a Polaroid.

That was the old fashioned way.

Wow, that's really cool. O0
I have located where one of the phone coffee shops is, I may walk there one day soon.

That was the old fashioned way.
The wait for the printed photographs could take days.

This may answer a few questions?

mLssZn5Eu_4

The wait for the printed photographs could take days.


Yes, I remember those days and sometimes you wouldn't mind the wait.

I have located where one of the phone coffee shops is, I may walk there one day soon.

Will you be getting a coffee?

Very sad.....

Will you be getting a coffee?
May be a tea, if available.

May be a tea, if available.

How much is a cuppa coffee or tea over there?

How much is a cuppa coffee or tea over there?
It all depends on the establishment where you.

May be a tea, if available.



How much is a cuppa coffee or tea over there?


There is a price list on the photo. They do tea

There is a price list on the photo. They do tea
If I can read it properly, it says 3.1, I assume it means £3.10, and that is expensive?

If I can read it properly, it says 3.1, I assume it means £3.10, and that is expensive?


I believe it is, sometimes a small cup of tea can be inexpensive, it can range from $1.00 to about $1.50 but a 3 dollar tea is quite pricey unless you're ordering it from Starbucks.

If I can read it properly, it says 3.1, I assume it means £3.10, and that is expensive?


I think the £3.10 is for a mocha. I can’t make out what the price is for a cup of tea

I remember payphones growing up in the early 2000s but they were already on the decline when I was growing up. But my mom would use it a lot since she didn't have a cellphone.

I remember payphones growing up in the early 2000s but they were already on the decline when I was growing up. But my mom would use it a lot since she didn't have a cellphone.

I can remember them in The 1980's, payphones were all over the place during that time.

I remember discovering those little cut out things from fuseboxs (Same size as a quarter) could be used in them and they were counted as 35 cents :D

It worked for awhile and then one day none of them accepted them ;D

The UK telecoms regulator said it will stop British Telecom (BT) from closing down phone boxes in areas with poor mobile signals if they are needed by local communities.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/107CC/production/_125323576_gettyimages-1226601832.jpg

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61731594

The UK telecoms regulator said it will stop British Telecom (BT) from closing down phone boxes in areas with poor mobile signals if they are needed by local communities.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/107CC/production/_125323576_gettyimages-1226601832.jpg

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-61731594

I'm sure people may need them once in a while when their smartphones may not work sometimes.