A Meaningful Medium Turns into a Curiosity

The Past, the Present and the Changing Meanings of the Landline Phone

Authors

• Lilli Sihvonen Turun yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33355/tw.86773

Keywords:

landline phones, new media, old media, media technology, media archaeology

Abstract

The landline phone was for over 100 years a significant everyday medium that is now coming to the end of its life. There are less and less landline phones available, and new user generations do not even know how to use landline phone anymore. The physical appearances cease to exist as old copper wires are not replaced anymore, and the old phones are discarded. However, turning obsolete does not always signify death. Old medium can find its way to new purposes. It reminds us of its past existence by showing up in news or at flea markets as curios with imaginative potentials. At the same time, it begins to show to have a meaningful history. This overview discusses the history and the current situation of landline in Finland, and the possible new meanings and purposes it may encounter.