Western Electric Model 500 Rotary Telephone, c.1970s

Story

Before 1984, you didn't own your phone; you rented it from 'Ma Bell.' This specific Avocado Green hue was the height of 1970s fashion, designed to match the trendy kitchens and shag carpets of the era. It was built so tough because the phone company, responsible for all repairs, never wanted to fix it.

Maker / Origin

Designed by industrial legend Henry Dreyfuss, the Model 500 was the result of years of ergonomic research. Dreyfuss, who also designed the Hudson J-3a locomotive, focused on 'Joe and Josephine'—his archetypal average Americans—to ensure the handset fit every hand and ear perfectly.

Condition & Value

The phone appears to have original parts and a matching coiled cord. There is visible surface dust and minor scuffing consistent with age; a deep cleaning and plastic polishing would significantly improve its display appeal. Condition affects value by roughly 25%.