"Celebrity" Design Line Telephone, 1979

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 Celebrity model references the opulence and glamour of Hollywood Regency design, popular from the 1920s-50s. Scaled for a bedside table, it was available in ivory and powder blue.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

1979

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

at Henry Ford Museum in Collections Platform

Object ID

97.50.10

Credit

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

Material

Plastic
Metal

Color

Blue

Dimensions

Height: 6.5 in
Diameter: 6 in
Length: 8.5 in

Inscriptions

On bottom: COMPLIES WITH PT 68, FCC RULES/FCC REG. NO.AS593 M-7060-TE-T / RINGER EQUIVALENCE 1.0A SERIAL # E519465 / THE TELEPHONE HOUSING IS YOUR PROP- / ERTY. TO ASSURE QUALITY OF SERVICE, ALL WORKING PARTS, e.g. DIAL, CORDS / AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REMAIN THE / PROPERTY AND RESPONSIBILTY OF THE / BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY. / Western Electric 940C40-62 / 79346 LOUD