The General Post Office (GPO), led by the Postmaster General until 1969, was responsible for making key decisions in connecting Britain’s telephone network. This network has remained remarkably stable, with its legacy still visible on Britain’s streets today. Over the years, the GPO introduced innovations such as colour telephones, party lines and extension telephones, as well as landmarks like the Post Office Tower. In this talk, Billy Thomas will explore the social history of the telephone, alongside the development of telephone boundaries in Camden, including changes to codes and numbering over time, and the role of operator recruitment in keeping vital lines open.

Billy runs dedicated GPO-themed pages on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, where he shares historical insights, facts and nostalgia about the telephone. He also has his own unique collection, which he looks forward to sharing as part of this talk.