The I-Phone Challenge

I am never weary of being useful.... more

by Connie Handscomb

Title

The I-Phone Challenge

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

I am never weary of being useful.
~ Leonardo da Vinci

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This red telephone booth is easily recognizable as an icon of England. With the development of new technologies,the kiosk is becoming unnecessary as a public telephone service. The booths are still around,although it is not known for how much longer: modernization initiatives are transforming each of them into a solar mobile phone recharge oasis, the red colour replaced with a luxuriant fresh green.

The booth was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. The red was chosen because it was a colour easy to spot. A crown insignia representing the British government was placed prominently on the upper portion of the booth in 1926. The booths were designated as "K" (Kiosk) series and numbered consecutively each time a design was updated. There is only one K1 booth left; it dates back to 1925 (prior to Sir Scott's award to redesign the UK Post Office's kiosk design).The K2 prototype is outside the Royal Academy of Arts, London

During 1980's, privatized BT replaced the red booths with silver metal boxes less appealing aesthetically. Only 2000 red booths remain. Fortunately they were listed as 'buildings', with the intent that they remain in place.

Although they look very well-used and shabby with the ravages of time compared to our slick iPhones, these booths still work well without having to be replaced regularly: a new coast of paint will suffice as the upgrade.

(The same goes for the old Tudor style buildings in the background: they are functional without need of being torn down).

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♥ Heartfelt Gratitude to Old and Used for featuring this image

Uploaded

December 1st, 2015