Exhibition: HELLO? 150 years of telephony

How did you ring someone back when there were no smartphones? And what did you do when you were out and about without a mobile? In the interactive exhibition HALLO? 150 years of telephony, you’ll delve into the history of making calls, messaging and staying connected.

The telephone started out as a rare device in the home. Now we take it with us everywhere. The exhibition traces this development step by step: from the first telephone and the telephone operator to the mobile revolution and the smartphone. It also explores the impact of mobile phone use. After all, does a mobile phone belong in the classroom? And video calls whilst walking: should we do it, or not?

At the end of the exhibition, a massive XXL smartphone awaits. There, you’ll discover just how many devices from the past are now packed into your mobile. A camera, an alarm clock, a phone book and much more. It’s quite something, having a pocket full of technology like that.

It’s one thing to look, but it’s better to try it for yourself. Thanks to its interactive elements, the exhibition is fun for children, parents and grandparents alike. Chances are that one person will recognise something whilst another has no idea what they’re looking at. That naturally sparks conversation.

And if you’re not quite ready to leave, the museum also hosts the exhibition ‘LEGO in the Museum’, featuring large-scale constructions, moving trains and a building corner.

When: 13 December 2025 to 30 August 2026
Where: Museum of the 20th Century
Address: Krententuin 24, Oostereiland, Hoorn
Museum Card: valid
Tickets: tickets can be purchased at the museum

For information on parking at the museum, we recommend you visit this page on the museum’s website.