Princess telephone

Princess telephone. Introduced by the Bell System in 1959, this compact and stylish telephone was specifically marketed to women and teenagers, becoming an iconic symbol of mid-century American consumer culture. Designed by the renowned Henry Dreyfuss and his firm, its lightweight construction and array of fashionable colors represented a significant departure from the utilitarian black telephones that had dominated the market. The model's success cemented its place in telecommunications history and made it a highly sought-after collectible.

History and development

The development of the Princess telephone was driven by the Bell System's post-war strategy to expand telephone service into the home and encourage additional extensions beyond the primary line. Market research, including studies by Jeanette L. G. Reid, indicated a strong demand among women for a smaller, more decorative telephone for the bedroom or kitchen. Under the guidance of industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss, whose firm also created the Model 500 telephone, the project aimed to create a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing instrument. It was first introduced in a limited test market in 1959 before a full national rollout by AT&T in the early 1960s. The launch was supported by extensive advertising campaigns in publications like *Life* and *The Saturday Evening Post*, often featuring endorsements from celebrities such as Princess Grace of Monaco.

Design and features

The Princess telephone's design was a hallmark of mid-century modern style, characterized by its compact oval footprint, low profile, and lightweight Bakelite or ABS plastic construction. A key innovation was its illuminated rotary dial, which incorporated a small incandescent light bulb to allow for use in dark bedrooms, a feature heavily promoted in advertisements. The handset was notably smaller and lighter than those of standard models like the Model 500 telephone, and the entire unit was designed to be easily moved. It was initially offered in a range of fashionable colors including Pink, Beige, Blue, White, and Turquoise, with later models adding hues like Chartreuse and Mauve. The internal components, manufactured by Western Electric, were engineered for reliability within the constraints of its small size.

Cultural impact and legacy

The Princess telephone became a potent cultural icon, symbolizing personal communication, privacy, and youthful social life in Cold War-era America. Its targeted marketing solidified the concept of a "personal phone" and it frequently appeared in popular media, including films like Bye Bye Birdie and television shows such as Bewitched and The Dick Van Dyke Show. The phone is often associated with the burgeoning teenage culture of the 1960s, as depicted in magazines like *Seventeen*. Its enduring legacy is evident in its status as a prized collectible, featured in institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Museum of Modern Art. The model's success directly influenced subsequent telephone designs, including the Trimline and various decorative phones from competitors like GTE.

Variants and models

Several distinct variants of the Princess telephone were produced over its long production run. The initial model (F-701) featured a non-lit dial and was quickly succeeded by the illuminated-dial version. In the mid-1960s, the design was updated with a slightly more squared-off shape, sometimes called the "Princess II" or "Mod Princess." With the introduction of Touch-Tone service, a Touch-Tone pad replaced the rotary dial in models like the F-702. Special edition models were also released, including a gold-colored version for the 25th anniversary of *AT&T* and promotional models for clients like Burger King. After the Bell System divestiture, production continued under various entities, including AT&T Technologies and Comdial, until the model was finally discontinued in 1994.

Technical specifications

Technically, the Princess telephone operated on the standard loop voltage and ringing signal of the Public Switched Telephone Network. Its internal circuitry, including the carbon microphone transmitter and receiver, was a miniaturized version of that used in the Model 500 telephone. The illuminated dial used a #222 type bulb powered by a slight current draw from the telephone line itself. Electrical specifications, such as its ringer equivalence number and impedance, were designed to be compatible with Bell System standards. Later electronic versions replaced the mechanical ringer with a piezoelectric sounder and incorporated integrated circuits for the tone generation in Touch-Tone models.

Category:Telephones Category:American inventions Category:1959 introductions