Since it is a little slow here today I thought I would bring up a subject that got some discussion going on the lists a while back.
Where did the 500 name come from?
Western Electric had the 102, the 202 and then the 302. Why did they then skip to 500? It should have been the 402!
So it might seem, but remember that WE was already using 400s in "naming" models. The keysets that look related to the 302 are actually known as 444 or 464. The two-line set that looks like a 302 with a switch is the 410. The really early subsets (334 & 295) that were refurbed as anti-sidetone electrically were (both) renumbered as 495. If anyone knows of other early sets labeled 4XX, feel free to add to my list.
All that and from a marketing point of view, a phone that went into production in 1949 for mass distribution in the 50's might sell better, seem more state of the art, if labeled a 500 for the 50's rather than a 400 for the 50's. The 302 came to be in about 1937 and seemed the next step up in numbering from the 202. But having installed the 302 through the 40's might have bent some marketing exec's thinking to skip the 400 series and go to the "modern" 500 series. Just a thought. Nothing to back this up other than some experience in marketing model numbers.
I agree.
Quote from: Jester on April 23, 2011, 01:54:15 PM
If anyone knows of other early sets labeled 4XX, feel free to add to my list.
There are a few more here:
http://www.paul-f.com/we300typ.htm#Keysets
Quote from: Jester on April 23, 2011, 01:54:15 PM
So it might seem, but remember that WE was already using 400s in "naming" models. The keysets that look related to the 302 are actually known as 444 or 464. The two-line set that looks like a 302 with a switch is the 410. The really early subsets (334 & 295) that were refurbed as anti-sidetone electrically were (both) renumbered as 495. If anyone knows of other early sets labeled 4XX, feel free to add to my list.
Don't forget the 440.
I've always wondered why they chose 500 over 502, myself. They continued the "02" tradition with the princess, though--702.
Were there a 600 series???
Yes, I realize the 400 name was already used. I like the idea that since it was the 1950's they went with the 5 but, I agree, why not 502?
Bingster: 702: Yes, but not really. The first Princess with the weight and no ringer, was the 701.
Kenny: The 600 series was the Call director, 630, 2630, etc.
Quote from: masstel on April 24, 2011, 10:46:02 AM
The 600 series was the Call director, 630, 2630, etc.
Photos here:
http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#CallDirectors
Quote from: masstel on April 24, 2011, 10:46:02 AM
Bingster: 702: Yes, but not really. The first Princess with the weight and no ringer, was the 701.
Ahhh, I had forgotten about the 701. That throws a wrench into things.
What was the number designation of the Trimline?
Trimlines are 220s, 1220s, and 2220s. That's the model of the handsets, the bases had models like AD1 or AD3. So, they didn't really have a separate model designation for a wall trimline vs. a desk trimline, I don't believe.
---Eric
How strange that they went back to 200, rather than going higher than 700.
Quote from: ESalter on April 25, 2011, 09:31:59 AM
Trimlines are 220s, 1220s, and 2220s. That's the model of the handsets, the bases had models like AD1 or AD3. So, they didn't really have a separate model designation for a wall trimline vs. a desk trimline, I don't believe.
---Eric
They also used the letter A, B , I(?) as part of ther model number on the trimline.
the square button handsets are 2220C. The round button sets were 2220B, the 10 button were 1220A and the Early IC based round button sets were 2220 I (I think) I will have to check.
Jim
I checked a 3-76 IC based trimline 2220B-1
:note ISTR that in 1976 a 1 was also a lowercase L on typewriters.
The typeface of digit 1 is "fatter ink" than 2220B
This stamping is typical We red stampings.
Quote from: bingster on April 25, 2011, 11:58:07 AM
How strange that they went back to 200, rather than going higher than 700.
Before the Trimline, there were already some keysets in the 8xx range and some ComKey sets in the 9xx range. There may be more, as I haven't hunted for sets with numbers that high.
http://www.paul-f.com/we500typ.htm#CallDirectors
(Scroll past the Call Directors.)
I modified my preceding post.
Jim