US-BN400 Booth

The BN400 booth was a mid-century American telephone enclosure produced by Benner-Nawman as a development of the earlier BN150 “Pacific A” design. Built with aluminium framing, safety glass, and porcelain-steel panels, it offered durability and easy maintenance. BN150 and BN400 booths together numbered tens of thousands and became common across North America.

NameBN400 Booth
Datec. 1960
ManufacturerBenner Nawman
UsageUS Phone Booth

Development of the BN400 Booth

BN400 Booth – Overview
The BN400 is one of the earliest production telephone booth models that Benner-Nawman developed—coming right after their original “Pacific A” (BN150).

It was part of a lineup of aluminum-and-glass enclosures crafted to withstand weather and use in public spaces; the design emphasized durability, modularity, and customizable paneling.

The BN400 shared many traits with its brother models (like the BN150 and later BN800 “Vanguard”)—all made for U.S. markets and distributed widely under the BN brand.

Historical Context & Significance
Origins: In 1950, Benner-Nawman was commissioned by Pacific Bell to create a more durable, modern enclosure—marking their shift into aluminum and glass phone booth production.

BN Products
Evolution: The BN400 and related models (BN150 initially, then BN400 and later BN800) enabled the company to grow into one of North America’s major booth manufacturers. By the late 1980s, their booths were common in every U.S. state and over 30 countries worldwide.

In Summary
The BN400 was an early, all-metal-and-glass phone booth model from Benner-Nawman, introduced soon after their pioneering BN150 design in the early 1950s. It played a key role in their expansion, offering rugged, modular construction that helped the company become a leading manufacturer of public telephone booths.
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