its a left over from the days when phones had a separate ear piece and the holder was a hook that was pulled down by the weight of the ear piece disconnecting the line.
Back when telephones had a separate receiver and transmitter (1876 to mid 1920’s), the receiver rested on a hook (it looked more like a fork with only two tines). The hook activated a switch when the receiver was lifted. The two parts together are called the hook switch or switch hook.
Once the transmitter and receiver were combined in a single handset (mid 1920’s), the handset rested on a cradle and used a plunger(s) to activate the switch.
It is the "Cradle"
the hook
its a left over from the days when phones had a separate ear piece and the holder was a hook that was pulled down by the weight of the ear piece disconnecting the line.
switch hook
Back when telephones had a separate receiver and transmitter (1876 to mid 1920’s), the receiver rested on a hook (it looked more like a fork with only two tines). The hook activated a switch when the receiver was lifted. The two parts together are called the hook switch or switch hook.
Once the transmitter and receiver were combined in a single handset (mid 1920’s), the handset rested on a cradle and used a plunger(s) to activate the switch.