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The Model
1554 and 2554
The Western Electric model 1554 was the first touch-tone wall phone made by Western Electric and only had ten buttons (the "asterisk" and "pound" symbol keys were not present). It was the touch-tone replacement for the model 544 rotary dial model and the compliment of the 1500 touch-tone desk set model. From what I have been able to find out, it was first introduced in late 1963 or 1964 Soon the 2554 (the 12-button model like you see today and in the photo above) began it's debut around 1967. The 1554 and 2554 started out with a chrome-plated metal hang-up bracket but was later replaced with a matching color plastic bracket in the early 1980's. I have an original 2554 made in 1982 (see photo above) that has the chrome bracket. I was the first and only owner and the date codes match on all parts so I know it was not a refurbished unit. When the Bell System came to an end at the end of 1983 there was no more incentive to build phones that lasted 50+ years so they started cutting costs anywhere they could and plastic was cheaper than metal. My guess is they went to the plastic hang-up bracket in or shortly after 1983.
All original material on this web site is copyrighted ©1997 - ©2005 by David Massey. |
