I was in telecom and IT for 35+ years (Bell Canada, NorTel) and worked with on-prem and CO-located step-by-step and crossbar switches at the tail end of their p

I was in telecom and IT for 35+ years (Bell Canada, NorTel) and worked with on-prem and CO-located step-by-step and crossbar switches at the tail end of their prevalence. It was a joy to be able to take the time to properly lace cable harnesses which were abundant in these installations. There were also PDP-11's, teletypes and such involved in network/switch monitoring which had their share of laced wiring harnesses (and wire wrap!). Also Datapac/Dataroute equipment cabinets and back-planes. It seems to me that the job title of "craftsman" fit in those days as there was often an almost artisan quality and craftsmanship to the work involved. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to experience it. Compared to my later datacenter installation experience (compute and power) it was night and day different.