Vintage Telephone Advertisements, Page 1
This is an on-going project, an archive of advertisements relating to telephony. It is my hope that eventually hundreds of ads will be included here, a collection that will span over 60 years of telephone history. Although the greatest number of ads will be for the Bell System or Western Electric, the independents will have a presence as well. Considering that they were part of the Bell System, an organization that wouldn't seem to require any self-promotion, Western Electric advertised particularly heavily in the periodicals of the day. Typically these were top-notch layouts, with styles varying from from bold statements to more subtle, introspective presentations. The ads were a clever avenue by which to enhance their corporate image, often serving as reminders of the significant role the Bell System played in daily life. The small thumbnail images can be clicked to display larger, higher-resolution versions. Watch for updates, as I'll be making frequent additions.
 Automatic Electric promotes their phones as a business tool, 1916. |
 A patriotic AT&T advertisement from 1929. |
 Bell Laboratories are the subject of this 1930 ad. |
 This 1931 ad, like so many to follow, attempts to explain the structure of AT&T. |
 A thought-provoking 1931 AT&T advertisement. |
 The telephone is an excellent value, now more than ever. |
 The best service at the lowest possible cost. |
 As with many of their ads from this period, AT&T is touting the telephones value. |
 A great nation with a great telephone service. From 1934. |
 Even in 1934 Bell sought to counter monopoly concerns. |
 Another ad from '34, this one regarding phone sales. The rest is history. |
 Bell Telephone can help plan lunch! From 1936. |
 Use long-distance to keep up with loved ones. |
 "More service for more people" |
 Bell System ad from 1937. |
 From 1938, a reminder of the phones value in times of emergency. |
 A vaguely Christmas-themed ad from 1938. |
 "The best telephone service in the world". From 1938. |
 From 1939 comes this Bell ad: "A friendly and helpful institution". |
 An unusual full-page ad from the Aug. '40 issue of Southwestern Telephone News, it shows a regional newspaper ad. |
 Civilian production was halted by WWII. This '45 ad says Western Electric is working to meet that demand. |