I remember our two digit number staying the same when we switched to a live switch board. My friends mother became the switchboard operator so I got to go in and watch. There were phone jacks, all numbered to plug into. She then became the only person who could listen and get the latest news, i.e. births, accidents, ectera.
A visual from “Laugh-In” just popped into my head. One ringy dingy, two ringy dingy......