Types of Antique Phones
The introduction of cell phones opened the possibility that all land line, hardwired telephones will soon be obsolete. Traditionally, antiques are 100 or more years old, and collectibles include telephones over 50 years old, but these definitions are blurred when considering technological items such as the phone.
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Earliest Telephones
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The first telephones used a large box to transmit and receive, and a smaller headset. The first phone model had a cone-type mouthpiece to transmit the voice. Home models were expensive and only a few individuals were privileged to own them.
Crank Model
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Early wooden wall telephones required the caller to speak into a mouthpiece on the phone and crank the box to operate it.
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Candlestick Telephone
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The candlestick model was an early standard issue telephone. This remained in use until introduction of the Dreyfuss desk phone.
Wall Phone
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The traditional wall phone remained popular into the 1960s, but a handset was added for convenience.
Early Desk Phone
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Henry Dreyfuss Western Electric Model 302 became the standard issue from 1937 until the introduction of the Model 500 desk telephone.
Classic Desk Phone
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The Model 500, the Western Electric black desk model telephone designed by Henry Dreyfuss, was introduced in 1949. It was the standard issue telephone until 1984. Millions of telephones were produced, but the rare production models of orange, green and bright yellow are popular with collectors.
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Resources
- Photo Credit phworld.org
