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A call was enough

In contrast to many other companies, when the war ended in 1918 Kapsch was able to build on its pre-war success. It continued to supply its customers in Prague, Trieste and Zagreb – and was able to intensify its relationships with the postal and telegraph authorities. The expansion of the telephone network and the construction of semi-automatic switchboards especially helped Kapsch to achieve good revenues.

 
Salzburg Telegraph Office
Salzburg Telegraph Office

around 1920, Photograph

The telegraph office had a central telephone switchboard with light bulb signaling, a telegraph device and various items of telephone equipment. Light bulbs indicated an active call connection and thus replaced the drop flaps.

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Small Telephone System
Small Telephone System

around 1920

In this system, the respective call connection was indicated by the dropping of flaps. The word ‘Klappe’ (meaning a flap) is still used in Austria today to refer to an extension. This system for 30 lines was able to be used in a hotel.


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Board of Directors with Part of the Staff
Board of Directors with Part of the Staff

around 1930, Photograph

The four sons of Johann Kapsch can be seen in the first row: Karl, Johann, Josef and Wilhelm Kapsch (from left to right). Karl was the strategist and director of the company, Johann was responsible for operations, Josef was responsible for sales and Wilhelm was chairman of the supervisory board.

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Telephone with Retrofitted Dial
Telephone with Retrofitted Dial

1926

Telephones were expensive, which is why they were often modified as opposed to purchasing new models. This system was retrofitted with a dial. The postal and telegraph authorities introduced six-digit telephone numbers for the first time in 1927, the so-called ‘million system’.


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Tabletop Telephone, ‘Carrying Ring Type’, Austrian Post Office Model 1931
Tabletop Telephone, ‘Carrying Ring Type’

1932

This telephone was extremely practical: a ring was located in the center that allowed the telephone to be lifted up with a finger. This made it possible to carry the device and use it to make a telephone call at the same time.

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Electric Clock Model ‘A’ 1932
Electric Clock Model A

1932

Electric clocks may have been too modern for the public at the time they were invented. Production was discontinued after a few years. These electric clocks could be operated using both direct and alternating current and featured a power reserve of approximately 6 hours in the event of a power outage. Model ‘B’ could be supplied with an alarm function, while model ‘C’ featured a radio and an alarm clock function.


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Electric Clock Brochure
Electric Clock Brochure

around 1932

 


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Telephone System with Display of the Conversation Time
Telephone System with Display of the Conversation Time

around 1934

 


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Field Telegraph System ‘M 36‘
Field Telegraph System ‘M 36‘

1936

This combined relief and color writer featured an integrated milliamp meter. The housing simultaneously acted as a transport container. Telegraphy was still used by the military until the time of the Second World War. Twelve of these devices were used by the Austrian armed forces at that time.

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Field Telephone ‘M 35‘
Field Telephone ‘M 35‘

1938

Kapsch received an order to develop a new field telephone in 1932. It was intended to become the ‘standard field telephone’. Kapsch supplied approximately 4,800 units to the Austrian armed forces from 1934-1938.


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