A model rotary telephone was one the first toys I owned as a kid. I used to love the distinct sound produced by the dial returning to its resting position. Sadly, a lot of the present generation have probably never seen such a telephone in real life, let alone used one.
The Classic Rotary Phones blog is an unabashedly loving homage to the classic rotary phones from now-defunct companies like Bell and Western Electric. The blog also has a great compilation of vintage advertisements, taken from an era when rotary phones were the hottest communication gadgets around.
Update: The iTunes store has a few free and paid apps to replicate the look and sound of the rotary dialer.
