Austin: Texas DPS Museum - Communications Center Equipment (1950s–1970s Era)
On Monday, July 11, 2016, Mike and I headed to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to exchange our Florida driver's licenses for Texas ones. Given the lengthy wait ahead of us, we decided to visit the nearby Texas DPS Historical Museum and Research Center (5805 N. Lamar Blvd.) to kill some time.
Here, you can see several pieces of equipment that would have been used by Texas DPS communication centers in the 1960s and 1970s. A labeled photo placard provided details on the exhibit:
Radio Console (on top of desk)
1960–1970-era radio console used in the Childress Communication Center. The console, on a standard grey metal desk, was (and is) the lifeline of the officers in the field. The dispatcher (radio operator) was able to communicate with all local, county, federal, and other state law enforcement agencies to provide communication as needed.
Typewriter (on pull-out tray on right side of desk)
The typewriters, such as this one displayed, were designed to type in upper case (capital letters) only. All teletypes and memos generated in the communications centers were required to be in large print for easier reading and understanding.
Teletype Model 19 KSR Machine (to right of desk)
Between 1950 and 1952, DPS leased line teletype networks. This network utilized Teletype Model 19 KSR (Keyboard Send and Receive) terminals, such as this one displayed, which could transmit 60 words per minute.
Prior to the teletype equipment on display, the DPS exchanged messages with the help of long-distance operators. DPS communications personnel using the TWX teletype/ticker tape system provided the the interface for this operation.
Austin: Texas DPS Museum - Communications Center Equipment (1950s–1970s Era)
On Monday, July 11, 2016, Mike and I headed to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to exchange our Florida driver's licenses for Texas ones. Given the lengthy wait ahead of us, we decided to visit the nearby Texas DPS Historical Museum and Research Center (5805 N. Lamar Blvd.) to kill some time.
Here, you can see several pieces of equipment that would have been used by Texas DPS communication centers in the 1960s and 1970s. A labeled photo placard provided details on the exhibit:
Radio Console (on top of desk)
1960–1970-era radio console used in the Childress Communication Center. The console, on a standard grey metal desk, was (and is) the lifeline of the officers in the field. The dispatcher (radio operator) was able to communicate with all local, county, federal, and other state law enforcement agencies to provide communication as needed.
Typewriter (on pull-out tray on right side of desk)
The typewriters, such as this one displayed, were designed to type in upper case (capital letters) only. All teletypes and memos generated in the communications centers were required to be in large print for easier reading and understanding.
Teletype Model 19 KSR Machine (to right of desk)
Between 1950 and 1952, DPS leased line teletype networks. This network utilized Teletype Model 19 KSR (Keyboard Send and Receive) terminals, such as this one displayed, which could transmit 60 words per minute.
Prior to the teletype equipment on display, the DPS exchanged messages with the help of long-distance operators. DPS communications personnel using the TWX teletype/ticker tape system provided the the interface for this operation.