switchboardn.

1873 Harper's Mag. Aug. 349/2 The switch-board..is the central ganglion of the whole [telegraphic] system.

1879 Nature 11 Sept. 461/2 The switch-board at the central office.

1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 July 2/1 The necessary batteries and switchboards.

1889 W. H. Preece & J. Maier Telephone xiv. 216 The switchboard is an apparatus which enables each subscriber of the telephonic network to call the exchange and to enter into communication with it, and which further enables the operator at the exchange to effect the connection of any two subscribers in the shortest and safest manner.

1903 P.O. Telephone Service 77 The current from the ‘busy-back’ and ‘don't answer’ commutators is not led directly to the switchboard terminals.

1925 F. G. C. Baldwin Hist. Telephone in U.K. xi. 301 Switchboard cable containing 42 wires was employed between the test board and the first switch section.

1952 Traffic Apr. 34 (advt.) Suppliers to the World for all Telecommunication products..Automatic telephone equipments for main and satellite exchanges..Telephone instruments and accessories. Switchboard lamps (Hivac Ltd.).

1961 M. Kelly Spoilt Kill ii. 105 He just wouldn't have anything to do with her. A girl from the works, the switchboard girl!

1967 N. Freeling Strike Out 111 ‘All right,’ said the switchboard girl indifferently.

1974 A. Morice Killing with Kindness ii. 18 The call came through a switchboard operator.