Alcatel Minitel communications terminal, made by Alcatel Business Systems, France, 1983. Communications terminal distributed by the French Telecom system as part of their attempt at an internet, 1983.

Alcatel Minitel communications terminal, made by Alcatel Business Systems, France, 1983.

The French government introduced Minitel experimentally in Brittany in 1978, and across the whole of France by 1982. Minitel users could access up to 22,000 databases and services, including online shopping, reservations and chatrooms. To promote the service, France Telecom gave away millions of the terminals for free, and the service became a source of national pride. Minitel was retired in 2012. The success of Minitel was seen as a key factor in the slow adoption of the World Wide Web in France. This terminal features a keyboard which can be folded away to cover the screen when not in use.