Ericofon telephone - old case model

The Ericofon was designed by Hugo Blomberg, Ralph Lysell and Gosta Thames through the 1940s-1950s. It was intended to be small, light in weight, comfortable to hold and instinctive to use. Production of this model, the 600, began in 1954, first to Swedish institutions such as hospitals, but within two years to the open market throughout Europe and Australia. North Electric in Ohio manufactured the phone for the American independent market. This example was injection moulded in two pieces as mirrored halves that were then glued together and dates to 1956, although the cord is not original. In 1958 the phone was redesigned to enable it to be moulded in one piece (see AIBDC : 005804), resulting in the neck becoming shorter and more pronounced. Soon afterwards it began to be known as the 'cobra' phone for its resemblance to the snake. A third model, the 700, was released in 1976 (see AIBDC : 008473). The Ericofon 600 model was brought to the British market in 1978 when it was adopted into the Post Office's 'Special Range' of designer telephones in only the orange or ivory colours, whereas 18 different colours had been initially marketed within the US and 5 throughout the rest of Europe. Production ceased in 1984 (1974 in the US).

printed: "L M Ericsson." (base)

AIBDC : 008464