United States Bicentennial Telephone, circa 1976
THF728416 / United States Bicentennial Telephone, circa 1976
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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. Candlestick models in the Design Line included a stars and stripes version, commemorating the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial. Many mid-1970s products associated themselves with this celebration by using patriotic color schemes.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Telephone
Date Made
circa 1976
Place of Creation
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
97.50.3
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ameritech Corporate Archives.
Material
Plastic
Metal
Color
Blue
Red
White (Color)
Gold (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 12 in
Width: 5.625 in
Length: 9.5 in
Inscriptions
on telephone:
THE CANDLESTICK TELEPHONE / AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION / EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA PATENT PENDING 881A108 / 2-75D / MADE IN U.S.A. / LOUD / SERIAL #B24874 / 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
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Related Content
SetDesign Line Telephones
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In 1973, AT&T partnered with Henry Dreyfuss & Associates, creating a collection of specialty "Design Line" telephones. From colonial pastiche to space age futurism, customers could tailor their telephone to fit a range of home decors. These devices were sold before the Bell System divestiture in the early-1980s. Customers paid a premium for the custom phone shell, but its interior mechanisms continued to be maintained and owned by AT&T.
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The 1976 Bicentennial of American Independence was a major cultural phenomenon. A wave of patriotism and nostalgia swept the nation. For more than a year, it seemed that everyone was organizing events and activities to commemorate this milestone.