WE Dial-In-Handset Prototype
F-53635"Shmoo"
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Designed by Bell Telephone Laboratories with Henry Dreyfuss and produced in the Western Electric model shop at the Indianapolis Works.
This model was used in Field Trials in about 1959-60 in New Brunswick, NJ.
The nickname, Shmoo, came from a character in Al Capp's L'il Abner comic strip.
Based largely on feedback from the "Demitasse" field trial, the dial was moved from the transmitter end of the handset to the middle of the handle. This improved weight distribution and simplified the mechanical construction.
The transmitter and receiver elements were judged reliable enough that they were permanently installed in the handset, and the seam fused. The cord and dial could be maintained by removing the dial. The dial light bulb could be changed by removing the small cover below and to the left of the dial.
The ringer and night light switch were in the base.
The arms on the base cradled the handset when the set was used as either desk or wall phone.
Marked F 53635 5-60
Another reported set was marked F 53273 6-59
It has a full cork pad on the bottom and no internal ringer.
The set was designed to accommodate optional switches for 2 lines and exclusion or hold.
The results of
market
research and the field trials confirmed the benefits of
the location of
the dial between the transmitter and receiver.
However, the dial
used was considered too big to permit the handset to be
comfortably
held for long periods.
The dial and handset handle in the production Trimline were smaller.
Go to the Trimline Development Timeline page [Click here]
The dial and handset handle in the production Trimline were smaller.
Go to the Trimline Development Timeline page [Click here]
