"Early American" Design Line Telephone, 1974

01

Artifact Overview

In 1973, AT&T partnered with Henry Dreyfuss & Associates to create a collection of specialty "Design Line" telephones--allowing customers to tailor their technology to fit their home decor. The Early American rotary phone is a pastiche of colonial design -- an era well before telephones existed. A brass eagle adorns the cradle, above a simulated maple base.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

1974

Creator Notes

Designed by Henry Dreyfus Associates with housing by the American Telecommunications Corporation of El Monte, California; transmission and signaling components by Western Electric Company.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

97.50.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ameritech Corporate Archives.

Material

Metal
Plastic

Color

Black (Color)
Brown

Dimensions

Height: 9 in
Width: 8.5 in
Depth: 7 in
Length: 9.5 in

Inscriptions

On bottom: SERIAL# A1023822 / THE TELEPHONE HOUSING IS YOUR PROPERTY. TO ASSURE / QUALITY OF SERVICE, ALL / WORKING PARTS, e.g., DIAL, / CORDS, AND ELECTRICAL COM- / PONENTS REMAIN THE PROP- / ERTY AND RESPONSIBILITY / OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANY / Western Electric LOUD AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION / D / 148001 DECO-TEL / Personal Telephones / EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA / patent pending / MODEL NO.D-B 1310-B 881A104 / 474D Top of base: AREA / CODE / 312 555-2368