Crowdsourcing Memories with a British Icon
The red public telephone box is something of a British icon. They were designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and introduced in the 1920s. Although they are a less familiar sight on the UK’s streets these days there are some still knocking around.
A new initiative in Leeds is reintroducing the boxes although with some modern-day modifications, some of which are geared toward a public crowdsourcing project. The color has changed too.
Local telecoms company aql is renovating the boxes and adding solar panels and WiFi networking equipment, and covering them in blue paint. The boxes are ‘recycled’ classic ‘K6’ phone boxes as designed by Sir Giles.
Touch Screen Technology
Although the phone boxes will be locked to protect the equipment, the company has added touch screens on the outside for people who need to make emergency calls. They will also provide useful information for visitors and tourists.
Local Memories
The public is also being encouraged to use the boxes to record their memories of the area where a box is located, so as to build up a vast local archive of eyewitness accounts.
“The plan is to create an archive of people’s memories of important parts of Leeds,” said Dr Adam Beaumont, CEO of aql. “The aim is to then make that content accessible online.”
There will be 24 of the innovative blue boxes placed in different locations across the city.
Lurene Joseph, Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners, said: “These boxes are a great illustration of Leeds’ digital ability and confidence and will be another excellent part of the city’s infrastructure.”
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