System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem, 1980

Made:
1980 in Liverpool
maker:
Plessey Co. Limited
System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem

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System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

System X circuit board from digital switching subsystem, probably made by Plessey Company Limited, Liverpool, England, 1980.

System X was British Telecom's first digital switching exchange for telephones. It was thought up by the Advisory Group on System Definitions, an alliance involving the Post Office and industry groups, set up in 1968. The system itself was designed in collaboration between GEC, Plessey and STC - the three major suppliers to the Post Office. The first System X exchange came into service on July 1 1980 at London's Baynard House. It was called the 'great white hope' for British manufacturers, with the intention of worldwide sales, but unfortunately development took too long, and manufacturers looked elsewhere. Nevertheless System X became standard in Britain and remained in widespread use well into the 21st century.

Details

Category:
Telecommunications
Object Number:
1983-138
Materials:
plastic (unidentified), copper (alloy), metal (unknown) and glass
Measurements:
overall: 286 mm x 20 mm x 370 mm, .58 kg
type:
circuit board
credit:
Donated by Plessey Telecommunications and Office Systems Limited

Parts

System X prototype microcircuit from digital switching subsystem

System X prototype microcircuit from digital switching subsystem

System X prototype microcircuit from digital switching subsystem, c. 1982

Object Number:
1983-138 Pt1
type:
microcircuit