A rotary dial phone is a type of telephone that uses a rotating dial to input numbers. When a user wants to make a call, they place their finger in a hole corresponding to the desired digit and rotate the dial clockwise until it stops. After releasing the dial, it returns to its original position, sending electrical pulses to the phone line that correspond to the number dialed. These phones were widely used from the 1920s until the 1980s, before being largely replaced by push-button phones and mobile phones. Despite their decline, rotary dial phones are still appreciated for their vintage design and nostalgic value.