ive 348,
As I said above, Newcastle airport used to come fairly close with a hand mike. I don't know if they're still using it. I seem to remember Carlisle Airport in Cumbria used a desk/standing mike not too long ago.
I guess the problem with these is they're not ergonomically practical. Someone with some actual ATC experience can probably enlarge on the pros and cons.
HD,
I never thought of that. So many telephone handset cables go the same way as well..