By: HISTORY.com Editors

1929

Herbert Hoover has telephone installed in Oval Office

Published: November 16, 2009

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

On March 27, 1929, President Herbert Hoover has a phone installed at his desk in the Oval Office of the White House. It took a while to get the line to Hoover’s desk working correctly and the president complained to aides when his son was unable to get through on the Oval Office phone from an outside line. Previously, Hoover had used a phone located in the foyer just outside the office. Telephones and a telephone switchboard had been in use at the White House since 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes had the first one installed, but no phone had ever been installed at the president’s desk until Hoover’s administration.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on March 27th

Related Articles

Man with Lincoln logs. (Credit: David Cooper/Toronto Star/Getty Images)

Learn how the iconic children’s toy bearing the Great Emancipator’s name was born.

Theodore Roosevelt during the expedition.

Following a disappointing loss in the 1912 presidential election, Theodore Roosevelt struck out on a treacherous expedition to navigate an unmapped river in the Amazon.

D-Day Facts

D-Day was a historic World War II invasion, but the events of June 6, 1944 encompassed much more than a key military victory.

Illustration of the wedding of Grover Cleveland and Frances Folsom, published in Harper’s Weekly on June 12, 1886.

He knew the bride since her birth—and had been her guardian.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Herbert Hoover has telephone installed in Oval Office
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
August 01, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
May 27, 2025
Original Published Date
November 16, 2009

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.