Phones in the media: Polly Bergen LP

[Adam]

As I was looking for phones on Etsy this morning, I came across this interesting LP.  It is Polly Bergen's "All Alone by the Telephone" from 1961.

I was surprised to see what phone they used on the cover, as I didn't think these phones were very common, as they are now very rare.

But notice the number card on the phone.  It says "MAIN O - 2368".  That's the official Bell System fictitious number they put on demonstrator and loaner phones.  (They later changed it to 555-2368.)

So, I would guess this rare phone shows up on the cover of the LP because the phone company gave it to them to include in the photo shoot, to promote this special set.

[JorgeAmely]

Polly has good taste in selecting a "Mushroom" phone.

[teka-bb]

Does the 2368 mean anything?

[Wallphone]

I've seen them use that number in BSP's before. There is a member in this Forum that goes by that "name".
Doug Pav

[Adam]

Does the 2368 mean anything?

I've frequently wondered that, since they used it with both MAin0-2368 and 555-2368.  I can't think of a significance.

Anybody know?

[paul-f]

Some say 2368 came from the letters CENT[ral]

[deedubya3800]

Curiously, that's the phone number of the Pomona Housing Authority.

[Adam]

Some say 2368 came from the letters CENT[ral]

I think that sounds plausible.

[MAin 0-2368]

Some of the other numbers used:

EXCHANGE 7-2376 - through most of the 1930's

EXCHANGE 368 - in 1939?

EXCHANGE 2368 - most of the 1940's

MAIN 0-2368-  50's

MAIN 3-9970 - sometime in the early 50's

311 KL5-2368 - early 60's

311 555-2368 - not sure when this number started, early to mid 60's?

[Adam]

Cool.  Thanks for that info!

I have a non-functional Princess Phone demo phone with 311 555-2368 on it.