"Early American" Design Line Telephone, 1974
Add to SetSummary
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.
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
Telephone
Date Made
1974
Creators
American Telecommunications Corporation
Place of Creation
United States, California, El Monte
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
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