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GTE Linear telephones

Started by paul-f, February 27, 2014, 05:46:12 PM

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paul-f

(Dave asked for this one.)

The Linear was available in desk and wall models, with 10 or 12-button dial.

UDK dials were tone/pulse selectable.
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paul-f

More photos...
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LarryInMichigan

I remember seeing those for sale in my younger years, but the price was prohibitive.

Larry

WesternElectricBen

I remember one like this from Jack Black's apartment School of Rock.

Ben

DavePEI

I have a Linear II in the collection. They are interesting phones, but they didn't sell well, so weren't on the market for too long. I guess it is anyone's guess why they didn't take off, but they were awkward to dial. However, they do certainly belong in the "interesting" phone category.

Dave
The Telephone Museum of Prince Edward Island:
http://www.islandregister.com/phones/museum.html
Free Admission - Call (902) 651-2762 to arrange a visit!
C*NET 1-651-0001

WesternElectricBen

I take it, it would take even longer to dial than a rotary, for two reasons.

1: the weird linear button pattern.
2: lots of finger travel, for example, in my phone number we have: "920."

Ben

DavePEI

Quote from: WesternElectricBen on February 27, 2014, 10:39:08 PM
I take it, it would take even longer to dial than a rotary, for two reasons.

1: the weird linear button pattern.
2: lots of finger travel, for example, in my phone number we have: "920."

Ben
That is for sure. Had it come out years earlier, it might have been more popular. But, Bell spent a long time optimizing the TT dial to create the standard, and by the time the Linear came out, people were used to the standard layout, so it flopped.

Still I find them interesting, and it creates quite a bit of interest amongst visitors to the museum.

I love the roll top case in Paul's photo. Wish I had one of them to display my Linear in!

Dave
The Telephone Museum of Prince Edward Island:
http://www.islandregister.com/phones/museum.html
Free Admission - Call (902) 651-2762 to arrange a visit!
C*NET 1-651-0001

WesternElectricBen

I too like the roll top, it would go great with the desk..

Ben

twocvbloke

The roll-top looks like someone just sat a phone inside a bread bin...  ;D

paul-f

Certainly possible.  I wish I had a bottom view to see if there might be a gTE model number on the bottom of the roll-top unit.

Perhaps they (GTE or an owner) were emulating the WE Stowaway Rolltop.
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GTE Rick

Quote from: paul-f on February 27, 2014, 05:49:16 PMMore photos...

Tell me more about the little booklet "GTE Retail Telephone Products"
Small in size ... Smart in Style ... and it has a lighted dial.

paul-f

Here's a photo of a green Linear set.

Anyone have photos of colors other than white, almond and green?
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