Why is a phone called a blower?

In British slang, a “blower” is another name for a telephone, and this term comes from the historical use of speaking tubes on ships. These tubes, used before telephones, required someone to blow into the tube to signal the person on the other end. The slang term for telephone, “blower,” is a direct reference to this action of blowing into the tube to initiate communication.

Here’s a more detailed explanation:

Speaking Tubes:

Before telephones, ships and other large buildings used speaking tubes for communication. These tubes were essentially pipes that allowed someone to speak into one end and be heard at the other.
The Whistle:

To get someone’s attention at the other end of the speaking tube, a whistle was often attached. To signal, someone would blow into the tube, causing the whistle to sound.
Slang Origin:

The British slang term “blower” for a telephone likely originates from this practice of blowing into the speaking tube to initiate communication.
British Usage:

While not as common as it once was, “blower” is still sometimes used in British English as a casual term for a telephone.