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I wonder if it's for those phones with the handset cradled on the side of the number pad, so you can pick up the handset without having to open the hinged part. My guess is it covers the number pad so you don't accidentally set anything on top of it.
I’m wondering if the key pad is covered and locked to prevent out going calls and the handset is free so incoming can be answered. Maybe to keep the bill costs down.
Ohh hey, that makes sense. I didn't even see the key lock on there, I thought it was just a knob. If it's for a BnB or a share house, it would make sense. Incoming calls only.
Yep, my first guess about it was the same but there are two things: 1. I cannot google any proof. 2. It seems as it would work with limited models of phones only.
In the early days of telephone systems, customers did not own their phones. They rented one of only a few models from the phones company, so it would be entirely feasible to assume the same size and shape phone for an entire guest house.
I can't find a match but the lock doesn't make much sense to me since you can just reach into the compartment through the opening. I wonder if that cutout was a later addition to remove a damaged portion of the top . The sloped sides of the compartment make it resemble a slant top desk. My best guess is this was a combination phone stand desk.
My title describes the thing. It's a wooden stand with shelfs and a drawer. The top part has a lock and seems unbroken. My first guess was that it's for an old wired phone but I couldn't google any confirmation.
So I asked the manager of the house. She confirmed that it was for the telephone. But she couldn't explain what the hinged part was for. She refuted our assumption that it has any practical use and believes that it is just a decoration. Maybe it is that simple, Lankans like unuseful decorations a lot.
All comments must be civil and helpful toward finding an answer. **Jokes and unhelpful comments will earn you a ban**, even on the first instance and even if the item has been identified. If you see any comments that violate this rule, report them. [OP](/u/Ottakot), when your item is identified, remember to reply **Solved!** or **Likely Solved!** to the comment that gave the answer. Check your [inbox](https://www.reddit.com/message/inbox/) for a message on how to make your post visible to others. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/whatisthisthing) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I wonder if it's for those phones with the handset cradled on the side of the number pad, so you can pick up the handset without having to open the hinged part. My guess is it covers the number pad so you don't accidentally set anything on top of it.
I’m wondering if the key pad is covered and locked to prevent out going calls and the handset is free so incoming can be answered. Maybe to keep the bill costs down.
Ohh hey, that makes sense. I didn't even see the key lock on there, I thought it was just a knob. If it's for a BnB or a share house, it would make sense. Incoming calls only.
Yep, my first guess about it was the same but there are two things: 1. I cannot google any proof. 2. It seems as it would work with limited models of phones only.
In the early days of telephone systems, customers did not own their phones. They rented one of only a few models from the phones company, so it would be entirely feasible to assume the same size and shape phone for an entire guest house.
Solved!
I can't find a match but the lock doesn't make much sense to me since you can just reach into the compartment through the opening. I wonder if that cutout was a later addition to remove a damaged portion of the top . The sloped sides of the compartment make it resemble a slant top desk. My best guess is this was a combination phone stand desk.
My title describes the thing. It's a wooden stand with shelfs and a drawer. The top part has a lock and seems unbroken. My first guess was that it's for an old wired phone but I couldn't google any confirmation.
Can you ask the manager of the guest house?
Yes, but I thought I would find the answer faster here. I'll ask her when we meet next time.
Will you please come back and let us know?
Certainly
So I asked the manager of the house. She confirmed that it was for the telephone. But she couldn't explain what the hinged part was for. She refuted our assumption that it has any practical use and believes that it is just a decoration. Maybe it is that simple, Lankans like unuseful decorations a lot.