Abstract

CUCHI ESPADA, Víctor. Before they Were Companions: Mexican Gibson Girls, 1881-1911. Secuencia [online]. 2008, n.71, pp.63-80. ISSN 2395-8464.  https://doi.org/10.18234/secuencia.v0i71.1043.

The history of telephone operators in México City involves a small group of women who operated the switchboards at the Mexican Telephone Company's offices and Ericsson Telephone Company between 1882 and 1915. They were hired since the firms thought that they were suitable candidates in view of their sex.

This produced a unique working experience, characterized by their relationship with men, whether employees, managers or clients. Another characteristic was that they operated complex electric apparatuses, which produced a fámiliarity with and resistance to working conditions that included an iron discipline.

Keywords : Telephones; women; switchboard operators; México City; porfiriato.

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