Telefonistas. El mundo en sus manos: Honoring Women Telephone Operators at Espacio Fundación Telefónica

This exhibition, 'Telefonistas. El mundo en sus manos', pays tribute to the crucial role women played in the development of telecommunications in Spain and globally. It explores their daily work, challenges, and the social advancements they experienced through texts, images, and historical artifacts.

The exhibition 'Telefonistas. El mundo en sus manos' serves as a homage to the significant contributions of women in telecommunications. It delves into the work of telephone operators, known as 'telefonistas', 'operadoras', or 'señoritas', highlighting their pivotal role in connecting Spain and the world. The exhibition features a collection of texts, images, and objects from Telefónica's Historical Technological Heritage. It explores the social ascent that working as a 'telefonista' represented in the early 20th century, offering better conditions and prestige compared to other female professions of the time. The display details the rigorous selection process for these roles, including dictation, mathematical tests, and even a peculiar arm span test to ensure reachability of switchboard components. The exhibition also examines the nature of the work itself, the manual connection of calls via switchboards, and why women were predominantly hired, citing their voice quality, perceived patience, and lower wages. It traces the transition from manual switchboards to automated systems, noting how the role evolved and eventually diminished, with the last manual switchboard in Spain operating until 1988. The exhibition underscores the camaraderie among these women, who often came from diverse backgrounds, and their role as the 'voices of an era'.

The exhibition is open daily from 12:00 to 20:00. Specific ticketing information is not provided, suggesting it may be included with general admission to Espacio Fundación Telefónica or be free entry.