Bell system

[RTM]

Here is one I’ve been trying to track down for a few week. It’s been in the middle of a project’s debris, as I was running screws with it. My only Bell brace, 2101-10 inch by Stanley, with a Yankee mark on the chuck.

Had this since 2014 or so. I think I now have about 20, from 6" to 14”.

 

[Old Radar]

Here is one I’ve been trying to track down for a few week. It’s been in the middle of a project’s debris, as I was running screws with it. My only Bell brace, 2101-10 inch by Stanley, with a Yankee mark on the chuck.

Had this since 2014 or so. I think I now have about 20, from 6’ to 14”.

Beauty! I found mine back in 2019 and have never run across another--odd since I believe this size was the most prevalent.

 

[GhostintheMachineShop]

This guy has a TON of Bell system tools...

Bell System tool collection and other items - tools - by owner - sale

NO Pictures. I have a very large and extensive collection of old vintage BELL SYSTEM tools and WESTERN ELECTRIC items for sale. Some phones and head sets. Some collectible paper items too. NO...

stlouis.craigslist.org

 

[Leviton]

Just found this First Aid kit box. In great shape, but no goodies inside.

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, that is in perfect shape!

 

[Old Radar]

Picked up this Bell System B crimper. Made by H.K. Porter. Lugz posted the same kind back in 2018 and Outlaw has one, too.

 

[Provincial]

I found a Bell System box. It seems like it held splices or terminals, based on the bins in the bottom. Dimensions are 11" by 7" and it is 3" deep. Large compartments are 5-3/8" x 2-1/8" and the small ones are 1-3/4" x 2-1/8". The small compartments are curved in the bottom to help remove small items. Anyone know what it was for?

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I found a Bell System box. It seems like it held splices or terminals, based on the bins in the bottom. Dimensions are 11" by 7" and it is 3" deep. Large compartments are 5-3/8" x 2-1/8" and the small ones are 1-3/4" x 2-1/8". The small compartments are curved in the bottom to help remove small items. Anyone know what it was for?

I just texted my father who worked for NY Telephone/Bell Atlantic/NYNEX/Verizon (through all the mergers and acquisitions) for 34+ years in the manholes of Manhattan. He said: "The switchman used them it held fuses and resistors."
Then I asked what a switchman was and he said: "They worked inside, they took care of all electronics in the phone building. Switching is where you call me and the call gets routed through the switch to the right line between us. "

He said that's a cool old box and he remembers them well.

 

[Provincial]

Until the 1980's, when electronic (solid state) switching started to show up in practical use, all telephone switching gear was done with relays that used points to make the connection. As you can imagine, these used quite a bit of power (since power was needed for the coil to keep the points in contact) and space. Also heat from the induction of the coils. Points would corrode, and need to be dressed, and if bad enough, replaced. All the connection equipment ran on DC power, which was supplied by large banks of lead-acid batteries. This is why the phones would still work when the commercial electrical power was out. That may not be the case any more. A couple of winters ago, our power was out for almost a week, and the phones didn't work!

Your dad was a "outside" man, since he worked on the system between the Central Office and the customer. The "inside" men worked in the Central Office, maintaining the switch gear.

It took some time for the old switchgear to be replaced. Phone companies were reluctant to abandon something that was still working, but when demand grew, it was cheaper to use the electronic switches because they could handle so many more lines in the same space of the Central Office.

Thanks for asking your Dad! I figured the box was something like that, but not the specific job.

 

[Old Radar]

Until the 1980's, when electronic (solid state) switching started to show up in practical use, all telephone switching gear was done with relays that used points to make the connection.

Before that, they used manual switching gear, which also took up a lot of room and required cooling...

 

[Provincial]

Into the 1970's, our local county courthouse used a plug-and-socket switchboard. The lady that ran it was a WWII "War Bride" who met her husband in England while he was stationed there in the 8th Air Force. She was Jewish, and had been evacuated from Germany as a child, barely escaping the Holocoust. Her German accent was distinctive!

 

[NYBODYMAN]

Until the 1980's, when electronic (solid state) switching started to show up in practical use, all telephone switching gear was done with relays that used points to make the connection. As you can imagine, these used quite a bit of power (since power was needed for the coil to keep the points in contact) and space. Also heat from the induction of the coils. Points would corrode, and need to be dressed, and if bad enough, replaced. All the connection equipment ran on DC power, which was supplied by large banks of lead-acid batteries. This is why the phones would still work when the commercial electrical power was out. That may not be the case any more. A couple of winters ago, our power was out for almost a week, and the phones didn't work!

Your dad was a "outside" man, since he worked on the system between the Central Office and the customer. The "inside" men worked in the Central Office, maintaining the switch gear.

It took some time for the old switchgear to be replaced. Phone companies were reluctant to abandon something that was still working, but when demand grew, it was cheaper to use the electronic switches because they could handle so many more lines in the same space of the Central Office.

Thanks for asking your Dad! I figured the box was something like that, but not the specific job.

He's not a forums user but he loves when I have questions from this thread. He worked hard for those 34+ years and is proud of what he did especially 9/11. He lost a lot of friends that day and ever since from 9/11 disease. Luckily, he has been enjoying his pension since 2004.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...which also took up a lot of room and required cooling...

...not to mention a smoke break or two!

 

[Old Radar]

Leave it to you Lugz, to catch on that the manual switching gear I was talking about in the photo were the female operators!

 

[RTM]

Leave it to you Lugz, to catch on that the manual switching gear I was talking about in the photo were the female operators!

or was it womanual switching gear.

 

[Provincial]

Before that, they used manual switching gear, which also took up a lot of room and required cooling...

If they were anything like the women in my family, they required heating, not cooling!
One day I was talking to my (step)son in law, and I complained that my wife if it was 75 degrees in the house, she was too cold. If it was 80 degrees, she was too hot. Without a pause, he said "add five degrees for Carrie."

 

[bbbarracuda]

Back in the mid 80's I worked on radio equipment. We worked on the mobile telephone base equipment for the local Telco.
Between a couple of visits, they updated from the old relay CO to a new digital CO. The relays were still there but shut down.
The lack of sound was amazing. That huge room was silent!

 

[Provincial]

Based on reports from insiders. our local CO still had mechanical relays into the late 1990's. Qwest was reluctant to spend money on upgrades.

My brother once complained that Qwest was "like a Third-World phone company." I told him it was worse, because in the Third-World you could at least bribe someone to fix your phone.

 

[RTM]

.
Between a couple of visits, they updated from the old relay CO to a new digital CO. The relays were still there but shut down.
The lack of sound was amazing. That huge room was silent!

Back in the 80s, I was professionally programming PLCs for industrial automation. Took a training class, and one guy told a story of replacing a bunch of relays in a oil transmission control center. The operation staff was freaked out cuz it was dead silent. They previously knew things were ok by the rhythm of the relays clicking.

So the team asked them to install dummy relays to the PLC outputs, so they had the audible indication that all was well. The operators were much happier.

 

[southalabama]

Dad worked for AT&T in the long lines division. Nuclear resistant building with a microwave tower and later fiber optic. In the basement of this huge multistory building were batteries. Building built circa 1960.

They also had a turbine generator with underground storage tanks.

Was a cool building. Wish I had pics. Perhaps that’s where I began to love the industrial look. A supply room with every thing imaginable.

 

[thehorse13]

A friend of mine turned this up at a yard sale. I figured that Bell Systems fans would appreciate it. My guess is 1930s based on the logo but I'm sure all of you here can confirm.

 

[RTM]

My guess is 1930s based on the logo but I'm sure all of you here can confirm.

Maybe much later. Google books search of

"progressive fibre & luggage" new york

brings up the earliest listing in 1955 through about 1970. Archive.org has a 1956 industrial directory.

Looks like they started calling themselves Progressive Fibre & Sample Case in 1964.

My attempts to work backwards aren't proving fruitful yet. There was a C.D. Wood Electric Company at 826 Broadway in 1942, but they made electric cords.

826 Broadway looks like a vintage 10ish story building, so could have been multiple businesses, but seems some residential listings overlap, etc during that time. I'm finding some, but not too many businesses overlapping in the same year, so maybe they had the ground floor, or they lived there.

With a nice full leather handle like that I find it hard to believe its that late, but I guess anything is possible, maybe they were trying to stay upscale.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

A friend of mine turned this up at a yard sale. I figured that Bell Systems fans would appreciate it. My guess is 1930s based on the logo but I'm sure all of you here can confirm.

Hi, Sonny. I found the same BELL SYSTEM B box with a slightly different version of that OEM sticker a few years ago and it was chockablock with BELL SYSTEM tools, parts, and other stuff, including a mirror and a - no kidding! - "How to drive properly" book. I, too, thought 1930's or 40's based on the "B" designation and the leather handle, but I eventually arrived at 50's. The contents were 30's through 50's. That the SYSTEM A through SYSTEM x designator scheme is chronological is self-evident; the cut-offs not so easily discerned.

I don't know if you're posting for your friend, or you are in now in receipt of the box, but here is a link to mine way back on page 7, and just keep scrolling for details on the contents into page 8.

Bell system

Possibly. That's likely what I will be using it for.

www.garagejournal.com

 

[thehorse13]

Hi, Sonny. I found the same BELL SYSTEM B box with a slightly different version of that OEM sticker a few years ago and it was chockablock with BELL SYSTEM tools, parts, and other stuff, including a mirror and a - no kidding! - "How to drive properly" book. I, too, thought 1930's or 40's based on the "B" designation and the leather handle, but I eventually arrived at 50's. The contents were 30's through 50's. That the SYSTEM A through SYSTEM x designator scheme is chronological is self-evident; the cut-offs not so easily discerned.

I don't know if you're posting for your friend, or you are in now in receipt of the box, but here is a link to mine way back on page 7, and just keep scrolling for details on the contents into page 8.

Bell system

Possibly. That's likely what I will be using it for.

www.garagejournal.com

Maybe much later. Google books search of

"progressive fibre & luggage" new york

brings up the earliest listing in 1955 through about 1970. Archive.org has a 1956 industrial directory.

Looks like they started calling themselves Progressive Fibre & Sample Case in 1964.

My attempts to work backwards aren't proving fruitful yet. There was a C.D. Wood Electric Company at 826 Broadway in 1942, but they made electric cords.

826 Broadway looks like a vintage 10ish story building, so could have been multiple businesses, but seems some residential listings overlap, etc during that time. I'm finding some, but not too many businesses overlapping in the same year, so maybe they had the ground floor, or they lived there.

With a nice full leather handle like that I find it hard to believe its that late, but I guess anything is possible, maybe they were trying to stay upscale.

Thanks fellas. This isn't my wheelhouse and I posted the pics of this box that a friend of mine sent over to me. It's not mine nor will it ever be. I'm a Blackhawk guy mostly. He was excited to show me his big score and frankly I celebrate anyone who can find things present day. It's tough out there now.

With that said, I knew that all of you would immediately know the story on the box. I went with the usual tells like Lugz mentioned. Leather handle, art deco decal, cleats on the corners, etc. This is a perfect example of when everything I know still fails. lol

 

[RTM]

Thanks fellas. This isn't my wheelhouse and I posted the pics of this box that a friend of mine sent over to me. It's not mine nor will it ever be. I'm a Blackhawk guy mostly. He was excited to show me his big score and frankly I celebrate anyone who can find things present day. It's tough out there now.

With that said, I knew that all of you would immediately know the story on the box. I went with the usual tells like Lugz mentioned. Leather handle, art deco decal, cleats on the corners, etc. This is a perfect example of when everything I know still fails. lol

I'm with you on the tells. That's why I'm not believing what I found, but I've about bottomed out that pool. Its still a cool box either way, the tells are pretty cool stuff, going for the upscale.

 

[southalabama]

Had a little time today and went through a box my brother had labeled junk from dads shop. Pulled out an explosion proof switch and a flaring tool with current retail combined price of $850. Neither marked bell.

But

Ran across several of these handy box plates. Not marked Bell either but will guarantee they came home from AT&T. Everything in the building from conduit to outlets were labeled or stenciled.

 

[319]

I found a Bell System box. It seems like it held splices or terminals, based on the bins in the bottom. Dimensions are 11" by 7" and it is 3" deep. Large compartments are 5-3/8" x 2-1/8" and the small ones are 1-3/4" x 2-1/8". The small compartments are curved in the bottom to help remove small items. Anyone know what it was for?

I have two of these boxes. Came from a friend who worked for Bell as an installer and repairman, residential then commercial. He used them for the common fasteners he used. Wood screws, machine screws and nuts, and masonry anchors.

 

[southalabama]

Ran across some partial wire spools in dad’s shop

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snagged a nice North Bros "YANKEE" No. 95 cabinet screwdriver this morning. It's the 1912 patent. Probably from the 20's or 30's.

 

[MisterEd]

A very small Screwdriver.
Western Electric KS 2348 Guide Pin Screwdriver

 

[MisterEd]

And lest anyone think the 2348 is a Rotary Phone Dialer . . .
Bell System Pencil Dialer Tip KS8400 Slotted Ball

 

[Old Radar]

Wow. Four obsolete things in one name.
(Bell System)(Rotary Phone)(Pencil)(Dialer Tip)
Okay, you still see pencils every once in a while...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Okay, you still see pencils every once in a while...

I should hope so! How else are we supposed to do our "rubber pencil" (sinsoidal optical illusion) trick for our grandchildren?!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Bell System Pencil Dialer Tip KS8400 Slotted Ball

Coolest and most envy-inducing item I have seen in a while here for me. I will definitely be looking for one now.

I posted a box of mechanical pencils a couple years ago, linked here.

 

[MisterEd]

I will definitely be looking for one now.

The Dialer came in Two models; Slotted and Solid. I preferred the Slotted.

 

[Username already in use]

Western Electric/Bell Systems rotary dial serviceman’s phone. Was cheap, I’ll put it in a drawer with the others.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Got this screwdriver from the restore earlier in the week, the pocket phone book is from today's estate sale

 

[southalabama]

Part of rolling ladder mechanism. Putnam ladders in phone comany offices. Posted for identification in another listing. I’ve got an oak ladder. Now this has been identified as part of the ladder mechanism I can locate the other parts.

Dad’s garage is a lifetime of building and saving things. Many of which will be lost to history. Glad was able to get this identified.

 

[DGersic]

And lest anyone think the 2348 is a Rotary Phone Dialer . . .
Bell System Pencil Dialer Tip KS8400 Slotted Ball

I’ll see your KS8400 and raise you a KS8300 mechanical pencil with slotted ball for dialing.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...a KS8300 mechanical pencil with slotted ball for dialing

Cool find.