Anyone know the history of telephone numbers?

Question

I am going through some old family papers, posters and matchbooks. The phone numbers on some are very odd. Such as 2-4578 or WA-3-2478. I'm trying to find a time frame when some of these posters, matchbooks etc might have been made. I didn't know if someone might know by the phone numbers. Any information or advice will help. Thanks!

Answer 1

Originally, this scheme was meant as a mnemonic device for telephone number prefixes. When telephone numbers in the US were standardized in the mid-20th century, they were made seven digits long, including a two-digit prefix, the latter expressed as letters rather than numbers. (Before World War II, many localities used three letters and four numbers, and in much of California during this period, phone numbers had only six digits — two letters followed by four numbers.) The prefix was a name, and the first two or three letters (usually shown in capitals) of the name were dialed. Later, the third letter (where previously used) was replaced by a number; this generally happened after World War II, although New York City did this in 1930. Thus, the famous Glenn Miller tune "PEnnsylvania 6-5000" refers to a telephone number 736-5000, the number of the Hotel Pennsylvania, which still bears the same number today. Similarly, the classic Elizabeth Taylor film "BUtterfield 8" refers to the section of New York City where the film is set, where the telephone prefixes include 288 (on the East Side of Manhattan between roughly 64th and 86th Streets). This is why, in some works of fiction, phone numbers will begin with "KLondike 5" or "KLamath 5", which translates to 555, a mostly unused and reserved exchange. This practice continues in film and television to this day, even though the prefix system has long been unused.

This method was phased out when the North American Numbering Plan was developed in 1947.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ameri...

Answer 2

Here's a bit of history about phone number structuring.

http://www.artlebedev.com/mandership/91/

But essentially, by the 1950's, the amount of telephones required a 7 digit number for each one.  It was considered easier to remember a prefix, so such numbers as WAshington 3-2478, or WA3-2478 for short, was easier to remember than 923-2478.  In smaller towns, the switching system was still small enough that the WA (92) could be left off, since EVERYONE had that prefix.  By 1970, so many phones existed that even small towns had to dial the entire number.

Today, in some cities, it's required to dial the entire 10 digit number (area code +7) without the 1 in front, even when calling within the same area code.  It's not a long distance call until the 1 is needed, although due to city size, it may be a toll call.

Answer 3

The 1950's & 1960's.  My first telephone number in San Francisco started with Deleware 3-XXXX.  Then they took away the name and replaced it with numbers..333.  As for the 5 digits, they came from area with multi-party lines.  Some rural telephone lines had 8 houses attached to one phone line.  Each house had a different ring, 1 short 2 long, 2 short 1 long, etc.

Answer 4

The letter prefixes were pretty well phased out by the mid 70s.  When we had an operator and party lines our number was 110J.  The 5 digit numbers were probably 40-50s.