Let's Go Back Through the Listening Tube September 1-5

SPEAKER_02 0:04

Let's go back through the listening tube for this week in history.

SPEAKER_00 0:10

I'm Bob Woodley from the Listening Tube.

SPEAKER_02 0:14

The 1700s.

SPEAKER_00 0:17

This week in 1774, the first Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is where and when the concept of a new form of government of the people, by the people, and for the people came to be. It is the genesis of the American way of life and the rules under which the government is beholden to the people, as much as the people are beholden to the government, to enforce the laws endorsed by the people through a representative body, along with a judicial branch and a chief executive. The form of government socialism has been fighting to extinguish and is incompatible with Sharia law. This week in 1777, we're in the midst of the American Revolutionary War. During the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time. It would not be until the War of 1812 that Francis Scott Key would be inspired by the sight of the flag to write the Star-Spangled Banner. An iconic photo of the American flag being hoisted at Iwo Jima is one of American lore. Today, a politician is popular with some for proclaiming that she was happy to wipe her hands on the American flag in the absence of a napkin. Someone who would do something like that isn't just being disrespectful to the flag, but just disrespectful to society, regardless of what the flag may represent. You don't wipe your hands on the curtains. Why wipe them on a flag? Someone who would do that is just a disgusting person who doesn't deserve any respect, let alone an elected position.

SPEAKER_02 2:15

You can hang your hat on that.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

This week in 1781, Los Angeles, California is founded as El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porcioncula. Which translates to the village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porzucola. Population? Forty-four Spanish settlers. Ironically, Spanish is still the primary language in the Los Angeles basin. Although when I took Spanish classes in high school, they made it clear that there's a difference between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the Spanish spoken in Mexico. We were taught the Mexico version. I must say what little Spanish I learned in high school did come in handy when I ended up living in the El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Orlena de Los Angeles de Porcioncula area. I don't know what it's like now, but back then you could still get by if you only spoke English.

SPEAKER_02 3:30

You can text the listening tube from the homepage. If he says something stupid.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

This week in 1789, the United States Department of the Treasury is founded. A week later, the first Secretary of the Treasury took the oath of office. Alexander Hamilton. The position was created to basically keep track of the country's finances. As a sovereign state, the United States could now borrow money from other countries and dictate commerce. Plus, the War of Independence cost money, and the former colonies were all expected to pay up. To keep track of it all, Congress said it was okay to hire someone to lead the department, as well as a controller, auditor, treasurer, register, and an assistant to the boss. Today, the Department of the Treasury includes many departments, including alcohol and tobacco, engraving, financial crimes, and of course, the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to all of that, today's Department of the Treasury has become a tool of domestic policy and a non-kinetic weapon of foreign policy as well. The 1800s. Telegraphs around the world would fail. Not just fail, but creating sparks and shocking operators. Daylight seemed to appear early, causing birds to chirp and people who relied on the cycle of the sun to begin their daily chores. It was the most intense geomagnetic storm in history. An event like that today would literally render society useless, albeit for a short period of time. Until vital equipment is replaced and networks are re-established. But a solar storm pointed straight at planet Earth like the one in 1859 would do a lot more damage than prevent you from watching YouTube. This week in 1878, Emma Nutt becomes the world's first female telephone operator when she is recruited by Alexander Graham Bell himself to work at the Boston Telephone Dispatch Company. It's not surprising that we know who the first female telephone operator is. The profession was dominated by women. When I was a kid, you could make a collect call from a payphone, and you would inevitably speak to a woman when you did. Maybe I should be a little more descriptive for younger listeners who may not understand what I just said. And I don't mean that in a disrespectful way. A payphone was a public telephone that was made available by the phone company. They were very common back in the twentieth century. More common than gas stations, as most gas stations had one, and you could also find them at other places where the phone company might find a need for one. Grocery stores, department stores, anywhere your car might break down in the parking lot. At first, they were in booths, like the one Superman would use to change his identity. And they would evolve into more of a kiosk type of availability. But back when they were in booths, you could just pick up the handheld ear microphone combination device from the base and use the dial or push buttons to summon the operator. You could then ask the operator, who was always a woman, to dial a home's phone number, because only buildings had phone numbers back then, not individuals. If you asked her to make the call collect, that would make the home of the phone you were calling responsible for the cost of the phone call. The operator would then call the number, ask if they were willing to accept the charges, and if they agreed, the call would then be allowed to go through. I know it sounds crazy, right? But that's how it was. Or you could just drop a dime in the slot on the phone and dial the number yourself. But we're talking about telephone operators here. And the dominance of the profession by women since the very beginning of the need for them. The guy who invented the telephone hired a woman to be an operator. Of all the times I've been helped by a telephone operator, it was always a woman. I haven't ever even seen a photograph of telephone operators that included any men. I once dated an ATT operator named Audrey, who had a license plate that said dumbblonde. I liked her. Honestly, I don't even know what would happen if I just turned on my cell phone and dialed zero for operator. I'm not even sure the prototypical telephone operator even exists anymore. Perhaps the most memorable of all telephone operators is the parody of the profession by comedian Lily Tomlin.

SPEAKER_04 9:18

He went to work inventing the telephone, and aided only by his faithful assistant, Mr. Watson, the magic day did arrive. With Mr. Watson in the other room, his head bent auspiciously over the sender, Alex muttered those famous words. Mr. Watson, come here. I want you. And Mr. Watson, tears in his eyes, came rushing from the other room, his arms outstretched. Well, God only knows what happened after that. Alexander Graham Bell did kick over in 1922, but he left behind him a monopoly um a company that has changed the history of mankind forever.

SPEAKER_03 10:15

One ringy dingy. Two ringy dingy. A gracious good afternoon. This is Miss Carlin at the telephone company. Have I reached the party to whom I am speaking? Mr. Beetle? Mr. Beetle, you owe us a balance of $23.64. When may we expect payment? Oh, Mr. Beetle, I don't see why you're kicking up such a ruckus when according to our files, your present bank balance plus stocks, securities, and other holdings amount to exactly three pardon? Pr pr privileged information. Oh, Mr.

unknown 10:56

Beetle!

SPEAKER_03 10:57

Oh, that's so cute. No, no, no. You're dealing with the telephone company. For instance, as I look through your income tax return for 19 Oh, Mr. Beetle.

unknown 11:09

Mr.

SPEAKER_03 11:09

Beetle, you don't understand. We are not subject to city, state, or federal regulations. We are omnipotent.

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Lily may have made the profession more visible and funnier, but it was Emma Nutt who paved the way back in 1878. Follow the listening tube at thelisteningtube.com where you'll also find not the headlines and interviews with interesting people. Thank you for putting your ear to the listening tube. I'm your host, Bob Woodley, for Thou at Infinitum.