| Name | Western Electric type 6 phone booth (it was a type 5 with a seat) |
| Date | c. 1950 |
| Manufacturer | Western Electric |
| Usage | US Phone Booth |
| Further notes |
| The Western Electric Type 5 refers to a class of indoor wooden telephone booth recognized in Bell System documentation, and likely used during mid-20th century installations. Though precise details and manufacturer data remain elusive in publicly accessible sources, the model aligns with wood booth standards of the 1930s–1950s, featuring lighting and ventilation systems. Discussions in the Telephone Collectors International (TCI) Library reference Type 5, 6, 10, and 11 booths under shared sections for identification, installation, fixtures, and maintenance: Sections cited: 508-110-100 (identification), 508-110-200 (installation), 508-110-201 (fixture installation), and 508-110-300 (maintenance) Type 6 = sit-down version of the early wood booth; structurally similar to Type 5 but factory-equipped with a seat, so the shelf and backboard are mounted lower. Doors on both 5- and 6-type have glass in the upper half only Finishes / codes you’ll see The BSP lists multiple material/finish codes for 5/6 (e.g., 6H birch, 6D oak, 6F dark mahogany, 6K walnut, plus unfinished “6T”), along with corresponding separator/end/back panel codes. These were ordered à la carte (panels were not included under the booth code). Succession By 1960 the 10/11 types (updated wood booths) were specified to supersede the 5/6 for general use—11 being the seated successor to Type 6. Manufacturer Distributed under Western Electric for the Bell System. For wood booths in the later period, fabrication was sometimes contracted (e.g., Drexel on KS-19340), but the BSPs for Type 6 don’t name a specific outside maker. |
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