The red telephone box is 75 years old and to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of a 20th century design icon, BT has donated one to the Design Museum, London, to feature in a new exhibition.
Also known as the K6, the red telephone phone box was designed by English architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and introduced in 1936 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the coronation of King George V. On their introduction, they were given to every town or village with a post office, regardless of cost.
More than 8,000 new boxes were installed in 1936 and by the end of production in 1968 there were nearly 70,000 of them across Britain.
BT has donated a K6 kiosk to the Design Museum to appear in This is Design, which opened on 24 August, 2011.
The exhibition celebrates and features highlights from the museum’s collection including the Anglepoise lamp, the candlestick telephone, the Moulton bicycle and the 1997 Apple iMac.
David Hay, head of BT Heritage, said: “The red telephone box is part of the British way of life. The older generation grew up using them and everyone in this country instantly recognises them.
“The K6 kiosk is held in great esteem and is an ambassador for the UK around the world, as many are now found in countries, as diverse, for example, as the US, Cuba, Brazil, Switzerland, Hungary and Germany. It seems only fitting to mark its 75th birthday in some way.”
John Lumb, general manager for BT Payphones, said: “The success of the Adopt a Kiosk scheme has shown the huge amount of affection communities throughout the UK have for the red phone box. We’re very pleased to donate one to the Design Museum – we don’t know why we haven’t done it before!”
Deyan Sudjic, director of the Design Museum, said: “The K6 kiosk is an unmistakable example of classic British design which is recognised around the world, the Design Museum is delighted to have this as part of its collection”
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