"Telstar" 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 futuristic-looking Telstar model was named after the 1962 satellite. It was advertised as a "piece of modern sculpture," perfect "for that forward-looking person who is never satisfied with today."

Artifact Details

Artifact

Telephone

Date Made

1979

Place of Creation

Creator Notes

Designed by Henry Dreyfus Associates and made by Western Electric Company

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Collections Platform

Object ID

97.50.12

Credit

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

Material

Plastic
Acrylic (Plastic)
Metal

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 5.25 in
Length: 11.25 in
Diameter: 5 in

Inscriptions

On bottom: SERIAL # E826320 / 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 2911A1-003 / 80091 COMPLIES WITH PT 68, FCC RULES / FCC REG. NO.AS593 M-62636-TE-T / RINGER EQUIVALENCE 1.0A LOUD