What led to the decline and eventual extinction of the switchboard operator career?

The development of automated telephone systems, such as direct dialing and voicemail, reduced the need for switchboard operators. Advancements in technology also allowed for faster and more efficient communication, making the manual switchboard process obsolete. Additionally, the rise of mobile phones and the decline of landline usage further diminished the need for switchboard operators. These factors ultimately led to the decline and eventual extinction of the switchboard operator career.