Western Electric, 1960

Western Electric ad, 1960, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Click image for 750 x 1000 size.Scanned from The Golden Age of Advertising - the 60s.

"Color, everyone?

Sure, but which? Here they are: nine of the glowing colors you may select in the handsome new phones Western Electric makes for Bell telephone companies. The picture chart above shows the relative public popularity of these telephone colors. Have you see them lately at your Bell business office?

The trend in telephones is definitely to color - in both home and office - to complement any decor, or just for the sheer fun of it. And we at Western Electric are happy to oblige; in fact, two-thirds of all new telephones we'll make this year will be in color. The rest will be in traditional black.

Producing good looking, dependable telephones and the equipment needed to serve you, is one of our main jobs as part of the Bell System.

Western Electric, manufacturing and supply unit of the Bell System"

Bell System Telephones, 1979

Bell System Telephones ad, 1979, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Click image for 678 x 882 size. Scanned from Taschen's "All-American Ads of the 70s".

"'Right, Emma. We always did see things from the same angle.'

Reach out. Reach out and touch someone.

Feeling fit, and all's right with the world? The how about spreading that sunshine to a faraway friend? You can bet your leotards a simple phone call will really brighten her day. So get in touch. That phone call can keep a faraway friend close. Reach out and touch someone who's waiting to share your day."

Bell System Telephones, 1978

Bell System Telephones ad, 1978, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Click image for 625 x 800 size. Scanned from Taschen's "All-American Ads of the 70s".

"For me, the choice was obvious.

There's a big choice in telephones these days. But the choice doesn't have to be difficult.

To find the right style and the right quality, just come right to Bell.

Because Bell telephones give you all sorts of shapes and colors and styles to choose from.

All Bell quality. And all kinds of customized calling services as well.

So, you can get a phone that's genuinely you, and still get a phone that's genuine Bell.

What could be more obvious?

Bell System

Be Choosey"

The Anglo-Portuguese Telephone Company, 1930

Ilustração, No. 118, November 16 1930 - 2, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Scanned from Portuguese magazine Ilustração, No. 118, November 16 1930. Click image for 910 x 1271 size.

"The automatic telephone

It takes twenty four hours to install it in your excellency's home. Telephone the Company, or send a postcard, and an employee will contact you to explain everything to you and provide all the means so that in a few hours your excellency has your phone at home.

You do not need to pay anything in advance.
Every month someone will collect your monthly payment

Write to The Anglo-Portuguese Telephone Co. Ltd."



"Do not dial without hearing the beep

Follow the instructions to the letter"

AT&T Long Distance, 1970

AT&T Long Distance ad, 1970, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Scanned from Taschen's "All-American Ads of the 70s". Click image for 590 x 800 size.

"How to branch out without pulling up your roots

Cover ground by phone. Specifically, by a new money-saving Long Distance service called WATS -- Wide Area Telecommunications Service. With WATS, you pay a flat monthly charge regardless of the number or length of your calls. It's not unusual to get more than twice as much calling time for your Long Distance dollars. And you can buy WATS nationally or regionally. Ask one of our Communications Consultants what WATS can do for your business."

Japanese ad, 1950s-1970s

Japanese ad, 1950s-1970s, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Scanned from Taschen's "Japanese Beauties". Click image for 1120 x 800 size.

Panasonic Toot-A-Loop Radios, 1972

Panasonic Toot-A-Loop Radios, 1972, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Click image for 597 x 800 size. Scanned from Taschen's "All-American Ads of the 70s".

"Panasonic's craziest color radio and what to do with it.

Panasonic. Just slightly ahead of our time."

AT&T Telecom, 1984

AT&T Telecom, 1984, originally uploaded by Gatochy.

Click image for 669 x 874 size.

Scanned from Taschen's "American Ads of the 80s".

"With AT&T, you can dial a 1-minute minimum call to the United Kingdom or ireland for just $1.25.

AT&T. We Bring The World Closer."