Publications and Educational Documents (by Date) - TCI Library

BTL 1975 - Switching Technology Chronology 1925-1975 - extract

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 10:25:38 -0700

12 pages. Extracted from: A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System, Switching Technology (1925-1975), pages 605-616 by Paul Fassbender.

BTL 1961 - Dates in American Telephone Technology

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:39:53 -0700

148 pages. By Dean Hanscom, Historian, BTL. Covers topics from prehistory through the mid-1950s. From the author's introduction:

This book lists important facts and dates for ready reference. It does not
elaborate and references are given only as sources for the dates indicated: other
and more detailed references may exist. With exceptions, 1956 is the closing date:
later advances must in general be covered in later editions.
The references are (with only a few exceptions) to published articles and books.
All such publications are in Bell Laboratories Library, Historical Collection, or
files. References to original laboratory notebooks and files are not given. Different
authors sometimes quote different dates for the same event; I have tried to establish
facts or a weight of evidence from published sources, but in some cases there
are unresolved differences. In a book of this scope, some errors are inevitable.

Contributed by the Connections Museum.

82 - BTL 100-393 Jun82 - KS Specification Index

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 14:07:30 -0700

314 pages. Numerical and Classified Checking List. Some entries with BSP references. KS-Specification List.
Contributed by Sam Etler. Pagination and Bookmarks by Paul Fassbender.

28ca - Railway Train Dispatching Tel Systems

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:40:24 -0700

89 Pages. Includes a 22 page introduction and system description followed by an alphabetic catalog of telephones, components and supplies. Contributed by Tim Fox. Scanned and OCR by Sam Etler, Bookmarks and processing by Paul Fassbender.

Reporter Jun57 - Historic Holmdel

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 16:32:05 -0800

The Reporter, Bell Telephone Laboratories, June 1957. The history of the Holmdel, NJ site before the construction of the large BTL complex in the early 1960s. Contributed by Paul Fassbender.

WE Bulletin 9795 - Telephone Booths - 1911ca

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:21:52 -0800

Undated. Includes receding door type and booth numbered 5, 6, 8, 15, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31, 36, 40, and 48. Contributed by Doug Duffy.

Telepatcher Operation

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 07:56:21 -0800

Basic configuration and operation for Telepatcher models added to WE 555 and 557-type switchboards. Not dated. Contributed by Jeremy Walters.

"Telepatcher circuit enables attendant to extend an incoming call to any other primary line or trunk, or to provide a three-point conference call."

66 - Blast Detector Function Description Paris RS MO

r.h.enthoven@infc.info (Remco E) — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:18:10 -0800

Scanned and processed by Remco Enthoven | Contributed by Fred Haynes

Blast Detector Function Description
For Underground L-3 Coaxial Cable Buildings
American Telephone & Telegraph
Long Lines Division
August 1966
Paris RS, Missouri

80 - Bell System Public Telephone Instruction Card Manual - 1980

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 21:36:22 -0800

24 pages. "This public telephone instruction card manual introduces the first universally applicable standard for language, graphics, and overall card design." OCR and bookmarks by Paul Fassbender.

78 - Bell System Trademark & Service Mark Manual - e4 Mar78 + Updates

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sun, 31 Dec 2023 21:32:29 -0800

40 pages. March 1978 with product name updates from 78, 80, 82 and 83. OCR and Bookmarks by Paul Fassbender.

2023 - WECo Forsberg Dial Genealogy - by Karl Brose

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sun, 25 Jun 2023 20:20:09 -0700

Version 2023-06-25. This chart documents the history of Western Electric dial generations of the lineage started by Oscar Forsberg in 1915. It traces the history of apparatus codes through generations No. 1 to 6. The apparatus codes also trace the application area of each dial type.
This is a work in progress, a snapshot, and will be updated as new information and documentation continues to emerge.

Created and contributed by Karl Brose.

This document is covered by Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License. For details, click on the link in the lower right corner of the pdf.

Note: Prints best on 11x17" paper. Printing on 8.5x11" paper results in very small font size.
Most Windows print drivers allow "poster" printing on multiple 8.5x11" pages. For example, to print on two pages, which may be taped together:
Select: Print / Paper Size & Handling / Poster / Tile Scale: 125% / Landscape

30 - The Dial Telephone in New Haven, JMRW Dial, March 1930

r.h.enthoven@infc.info (Remco E) — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 10:27:09 -0700

Scanned and processed by Remco Enthoven - From the Collection of the JKL Museum of Telephony

63 - Traffic Operating Practice July 31 1963

r.h.enthoven@infc.info (Remco E) — Mon, 01 May 2023 11:24:44 -0700

Scanned by Valerie Flores | From the Collection of the JKL Museum of Telephony

Traffic Operating Practice, Division C, for use at Traffic Service Positions ( TSPS )

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATING AT THE TRAFFIC SERVICE POSITION

22 - Instructions for Operating Private Branch Exchange Switchboards 1922

r.h.enthoven@infc.info (Remco E) — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 15:35:46 -0700

Scanned by Valerie Flores - From the collection of the JKL Museum of Telephony

INSTRUCTIONS for operating PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SWITCHBOARDS (Cordless Type)
When Connected with a Dial Central Office (Step-by-Step)

THE BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES - 1922

Shows a WE #2 JMRW dial. The #2 dial on a deskstand would necessarily be a #2AE dial.
The cordless switchboard shown is a 505C PBX.

BLR 1951-53 - AMA Reprint

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 20:49:57 -0700

60MB. 138 pages. A Collection of 23 articles on Automatic Message Accounting published in the Bell Laboratories Record, 1951-1953. Contributed by the Connections Museum, Seattle. Scanned by Claire. OCR by Peter Amstein and Sarah Autumn. Bookmarks by Paul Fassbender.

74sep BTM p10 - PhoneCenter Concept Grows

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 19:43:45 -0700

Bell Telephone Magazine, Sep. 1974. Established in 1970, there were 32 Bell System PhoneCenters in 1974 and 34 more under development. Modular wiring, pre-wiring and simple do-it-yourself methods were important factors. (phone center) Contributed by Paul Fassbender.

39 - WECo 112A Amplifier

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 11:14:38 -0700

April 1939. THIS IS A SINGLE-STAGE AMPLIFIER USED IN CONNECTION WITH A 321A, 321B OR 321C TELEPHONE SET IN THE NO. 2A KEY TELEPHONE SYSTEM PER DRAWINGS SD-69103-011 AND SD-69103-012. Contributed by Steve Cichorsky.

23 - Recent Developments in Telephone Train Dispatching Circuits - 1923

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 20:52:19 -0700

11 pages. By Wm. H. Capen, Engineering Department, Western Electric Company. In three installments:
1. History, Transmission Theory, Line Conditions and Cable Factors
2. Line Transmission and Cable Factors, of Outside Plant
3. Line Transmission Equipment, Train Dispatching Circuits and Location of Apparatus

Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Telegraph and Telephone Section of the American Railway Association, held at Colorado Springs, September 19, 1923. Reprinted from RAILWAY SIGNALING, Vol. 17, No. 2, Feb. 1924 and following issues.

Contributed by Karl Brose.

64 - Telezonia - Student Guide - 1964

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 20:54:33 -0700

Title: "We Learn About the Telephone"

NOTE TO THE TEACHER AND PARENTS: This booklet is associated with "Telezonia," a communications and telephone program for the lower elementary grades which has been prepared with the guidance of elementary educators. The booklet's aim is to teach children how to use the telephone effectively, and something of the science, history and social significance of communications.

Find other Telezonia items in the Library. Contributed by Colby Cuthbertson.

BTL History 2: National Service 1978

paul-f@verizon.net (Paul F) — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 16:13:27 -0700

768 pages, 80 MB, 500-468, A History of Engineering and Science in the Bell System - National Service in War and Peace (1925-1975). Missing pages 24, 25 and 504. Contributed by Sam Etler. Processed by Paul Fassbender