Working History — C. 2000
Fibre cable connector
This fibre cable connector unit was removed from BT's London access network which connects the telephone exchange to the user's premises. The circuit ran from London to a Shell fuel depot at Great Massingham, Norfolk. Fibre optic technology allows data to be transmitted via glass strands rather than copper cables creating a faster network capable of handling greater amounts of data.
In the 1960s, engineers and scientists conducted pioneering research into fibre optic technology at the General Post Office's Research Station at Dollis Hill in north-west London.
The GPO's successor BT developed and patented a technology called 'blown fibre', which is used to deliver high-speed broadband. The fibre optic cable contains a number of empty plastic tubes; compressed air is used to blow glass fibres through the cable when required.
- Category:
- Working History
- Object ID:
- 2011.5/4
- Object name:
- fibre cable connector
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Tyco Electronics
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- c. 2000
- Material:
plastic, glass fibre, rubber
- Measurements/duration:
- L 880 mm, W 63 mm, H 48 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
BT Connected Earth
- Copyright holder:
BT
- Image credit:
© BT Heritage
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.