telephone
Date: 1937-1950
Inventory Number: 1995-1-0016
Classification: Telephone
Subject:
Maker: Western Electric Company (1881 - 1995)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
without cord: 14.5 × 23.5 × 19.3 cm (5 11/16 × 9 1/4 × 7 5/8 in.)
Accessories: power cord
Description:
Black rotary phone on square base, base standing on cork feet. Ten circles in the rotary, each displaying three letters of the alphabet except for the first which is empty and the last which displays "Z" and "OPERATOR". Receiver sitting on top of phone, attached by a green coiled cord.
Signedunder receiver: BELL SYSTEM / MANUFACTURED BY / WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY
FunctionThis Western Electric Telephone, likely version of the 302 model, was among the first to contain all of the circuitry inside the base and not require a separate apparatus for the ringer. It was intended for household use.
A description of old Western Electric telephone models can be found on the following website.
A description of old Western Electric telephone models can be found on the following website.
Curatorial RemarksBoth cords replaced in 1970, now green cords ending in 4 prong (male) plug.