Western Electric 1956 - (500 C/D Model) by Telcosteve

This is a phone that was originally placed in service in the early 1956 time frame. 61 years later, I have refurbished it by sanitizing the parts, and testing every component. New to telcosteve's videos is the collection of phone recordings from the past that we used to really enjoy.

[@erintyres3609]

When did the dial cards start to show area codes? Did phones of the '50's really have "PLEASE WAIT FOR DIAL TONE" cards, or did they show area codes like the phones of the '60's?

[@TelcoSteve]

Well the internet says...n 1947, states and provinces that had a single area code were assigned three digit codes with 0 as the middle number, such as 203 for Connecticut and 305 for Florida . There were 86 area codes at that time.
Human Operators were used (a lot) to make the call connection and then the system of using the C.O. name such as "Capitol 5 - 3150." " CA" became the numeric value of Capitol - and so on and so forth.
In 1947 and moving forward, States and provinces that had more than one area code distributed to them were given three digit codes with 1 as the middle number, ----- such as 916 and 213 for various sections of California , and 212 and 518 for various sections of New York .
Usually service tags were made with the name of the Central Office representing the leading two alpha characters Such as Murray Hill now (1940 - 1955 time frame) was "MU"
As far as "wait for dial tone" that was dependent on a call volume, battery level availability, and circuit connection in old say step-by-step etc type frame wiring and relay driven switching office. Things were slower then and people frankly were more patient then they are now. We take for granted way too much and become mind locked about the simplicity of waiting. It didn't kill anyone then and it sure would help now in my opinion.

[@erintyres3609]

@@TelcoSteve Thanks! Right after asking the question here, I found the enormous "classicrotaryphones" forum, and it shows several examples of 1950's phones with dial cards like CApitol5-3150. So even though area codes had already been assigned, they were often not shown on the phone. I also read that it could take up to 30 seconds to get a dial tone after lifting the receiver. So it was important to wait.
For that matter, I also read that DDD or "Direct Distance Dialing" did not become widely available until the 1960's. Before that, calls to another area code had to be done with operator assistance.

[@TelcoSteve]

@@erintyres3609 You got the right info. Have fun!

[@TelcoSteve]

This phone is currently for sale. Email for details - U.S. and Canada and Paypal ONLY.

[@bobbyluo5872]

Telco Steve ：hi Steve,How to buy telephone from you?do you have website or eBay account?please let me know ,thanks.

[@TelcoSteve]

Hi Bobby! It is on Ebay right now. See www.ebay.com/itm/282741736299?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
My eBay account is telcosteve.

[@TechHowden]

What year did they start using the plastic Dials?

[@TelcoSteve]

Well the mid 1950s is when the dials on the colored 302s came out. Too bad really. I prefer the metal finger dial vs. clear plastic. Thanks for watching.

[@ten4450]

thanks for the info. i have one from 1965 but the capsule in the transmitter says 1955 on it. it’s amazing how nice the sound quality is