BBC Radio 4 has been broadcasting a series on the history of office life. It sounds like essential listening for all business historians. The current episode mentions the evolving use of technology at HSBC, which is actually something I’ve been researching recently.
Here is a blurb about the episode:
New technology including the telephone, telegraph, typewriters, adding machines, and even filing cabinets revolutionized office work in the late 19th century. In particular the telephone was looked on suspiciously in the UK. Britain’s chief post office engineer, Sir William Preece, told a House of Commons committee : ‘I have one in my office, but more for show. If I want to send a message, I employ a boy to take it.’. Lucy visits the stores of the museum of London to see early examples of office technology, including an early private telephone belonging to the Rothschilds.
Readings by Richard Katz, Sasha Pick, Adam Rojko and Kerry Shale
Historical Consultant: Michael Heller
Producer: Russell Finch
A Somethin’ Else production for Radio 4.
The Past Speaks 