1950 - - On February 12th, local service in the state of Delaware becomes 100 percent dial with the cutover of Georgetown (1500 main telephones) to dial operation. First customer toll dialing from New York to New Jersey begins with cutover of No. 5 crossbar switch on February 18th. march 15th marks the introduction of the step-by-step dial PBX 740E (primarily for under 100 extensions). The first supply of new 500-type handset telephones announced on June 2nd. Production is expected to reach 180,000 by the end of the year. On July 21, the FCC suggests field tests of telephone answering devices. By November, the Bell System plant passed the $10 billion mark.

1951 - - The first 356A Community Dial Office (75 lines) is installed in Roberts, Idaho on February 15th. On November 10, the trial of long distance customer dialing begins at Englewood, N.J. On October 26th, the Bell System orders 400 Peatrophones for customers requiring automatic answering and recording service. Bell Laboratories machine is not expected until July, 1952.

1952 - - February 8th sees the field trial of handset shoulder rests. (Two designs are supplied by Bell Laboratories.) Aluminum cable trials begin on March 17th. May 16th begins the limited delivery of 1A answering sets developed by Bell Laboratories. Telephones with illuminated dials are announced on October 3rd. November 18th marked the installation of the 50,000,000th telephone (on the desk of President Eisenhower no less).

1953 - - Birmingham, Mich. becomes the second community to be able to dial "nationwide". Plans for transatlantic telephone cable are announced on December 1st.

1954 - - Body belts and climber straps of nylon, impregnated with Neoprene, announced as standard for men who climb poles. The new material is stronger and not subject to heat damage or leather deterioration. The handset with shoulder rest is made a standard offering by the Bell System. Production of color telephones in eight shades is now underway. And by July 2nd, the handsfree Speakerphone is in limited production. On October 22nd, dictation recording trunks for PBXs are offered after satisfactory trials. November 5th sees the announcement of new wall telephones.

1955 - - March 18th marks the announcement of the initial trial installation of electronic switching for Morris, Illinois. Recorded announcements of disconnects and changed numbers to be used in some small dial offices. September 26th sees the completion of the first transatlantic telephone cable between Newfoundland and Scotland. The first trial of Bell Solar Battery in actual service begins on carrier system in Americus, Georgia on October 4th.

1956 -- The nation's telephones passed the 59 million mark. The total was made up of 48,546,000 Bell System telephones, 8,575,000 operated by independent companies, 1,532,000 by companies where AT&T holds a minority stock and 348,000 service stations. On March 27, Southern Bell installs its 5 millionth telephone in the office of the governor. On April 15th, San Diego becomes the first large city where all customers could dial their own calls to millions of other telephones in metropolitan areas from coast-to-coast. August 18th marked the opening of the Alexander Graham Bell Museum at Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Bell Laboratories, on August 23, announces their experiment with "picture phone" transmission that sends pictures along with sound over regular telephone lines. The 1956 Nobel Prize is awarded to the inventors of the transmitter: Dr. Walter H, Brattain of Bell Laboratories, Dr. William Shockley and Dr. John Bardeen.

1956 - - One of the most dramatic events of 1956 was the final judgment limiting the Bell System to common carrier communications and government projects but preserving the long standing relationships between the manufacturing, research and operating arms of the Bell System. (AT&T retained Bell Laboratories and Western Electric Company). This final judgment (the Consent Decree of 1956) brought to a close the Justice Department's seven-year-old antitrust suit against AT&T and Western Electric which sought separation of the Bell System's manufacturing from its operating and research functions.

1957 - - The 50 millionth Bell telephone is installed in the home of C&P of Maryland employee James S. Russell on March 13th. (Russell had the longest service (53 years) among Bell System employees.) On April 17th, Bell Laboratories announces development of magnetic tape machine capable of transmitting 1,000 words per minute - 16 times faster than conventional teletypewriter machines. In June, Bell Laboratories announces development, under Air Force contract, of a high speed digital computer about the size of a home TV set. The system is named the "Leprechaun" and more than half its components are transistors. On July 15th, Bell of Pennsylvania begins trial operation of a personal signaling service to pocket-size radio receivers worn or carried on the person. In August, AT&T obtains registration of its familiar blue bell as a service mark.

1958 - - Bell System's Data-Phone service, which permits high-speed transmission of data over regular telephone circuits is announced in January. On June 25th, the FCC directs AT&T to cut its rates for privately leased telephone circuits by about 15 percent.

1959 - - The Bell System introduces the Call Director telephone in January. On April 12th, Washington, D.C. becomes the biggest metropolitan area to date to be fully equipped for Direct Distance Dialing. AT&T establishes their Marketing Department on April 15th. In July, the New York PSC approves New York Company's proposal for an additional charge for unlisted telephone numbers. On August 20th, Bell Laboratories announces development of a self-contained electronic artificial larynx for persons who have lost their voices through surgical removal or paralysis of the vocal cords. September sees the introduction, in selected areas, of the Princess telephone produced in white, beige, pink, blue and turquoise.

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