telephone, black 400At (400 series, (A)utomatic meaning dial signalling, (t)able) which was the standard issue PMG table phone from about 1958 to 1963. The plastic 800 series phones started in 1962 but they were available concurrently into the mid '60's, uncle Doug told me he was offered a choice when he built his house and opted for the 400At because the bell was louder. that one is probably from the middle of that period, because it has plastic curly cords rather than cloth ones, but still has a metal finger plate on the dial, later ones were black plastic. It was probably made in Australia by AWA or StC, but could be from England, possibly GEC. there should be a stamp on the base with the maker, the year etc. to positively ID it. the case is made of Bakelite, the cords of some sort of plastic, the feet are rubber, paper in the capacitor, and it contains a number of different metals in various parts, certainly steel, stainless steel, brass, copper and aluminium, perhaps more. I think I've seen an article on them from when they were introduced, I can try to find that again if you like. Love from Angus

By the end of the Second World War StC was Australia's biggest manufacturer. The company returned to peacetime manufacture. Rather than reduce staff it used its excess capacity to produce electric irons and other domestic appliances. StC also returned to its core business and made large quantities of the new 400 series bakelite telephones and exchange switchgear to catch up on post-war demand. The 400 was based on an Ericsson design, but was substantially redesigned for Australian conditions by StC and AWA. All but the dial would be produced in Australia, following the introduction of new high-pressure bakelite moulding presses at a new Liverpool factory. The automation of the many small country manual exchanges was a priority and a new exchange based on the British 2000 relay was to be produced in large numbers. The contracts were shared between StC and tEL, another local manufacturer (now Plessey). The PMG was still prepared to support local industry, and the Government of the day did not want to lose the expertise that had been built up during the war. they put a condition on the ten-year contracts, though. StC and tEL had to sort out a uniform step-by-step switching system for use throughout Australia. The companies got to work and many country areas finally enjoyed 24-hour telephone service. In spite of this StC still found time to develop a mobile telephone system for the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme vehicles. Rather than decrease after the War, StC's staff actually increased to 2289 by 1948.