| Date | c. 1980 |
| Manufacturer | Benner Nawman |
| Usage | US Phone Booth |
Development of the Benner Nawman pedestals
| Benner-Nawman Inc., based in California, was one of the most important American manufacturers of payphone enclosures during the mid-twentieth century. While the company became well known for full glass booths such as the BN150 and later BN400 and BN500 series, it also produced a wide range of telephone pedestals and “half-boxes.” These installations were widely used across the United States where a full booth was unnecessary or impractical. A pedestal installation typically consisted of a freestanding metal column that supported the payphone and coin equipment. Many versions incorporated a small protective hood or partial side panels, creating what collectors often call a half-booth. This provided some shelter from wind and rain while maintaining a small footprint and lower installation cost than a complete glass enclosure. Telephone companies adopted these designs extensively from the 1950s onward. They were particularly common in shopping centres, hotel lobbies, transport terminals, amusement parks, and street locations where high foot traffic made quick access more important than privacy. In warm climates such as California, Florida, and Hawaii, open or semi-open pedestals were especially practical because full weatherproof booths were less necessary. Benner-Nawman pedestals illustrate a broader shift in American payphone infrastructure during the post-war period: from heavy enclosed booths toward lighter, modular installations that could be placed almost anywhere, dramatically expanding the reach of the public telephone network. |
| Common models |
| BN7500A-R2-32-C booth and pedestal. |
| BN7500B Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN4000AX Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN6000A Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN2500 and BN2600 Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN5500A Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN5000 and BN5600 Walk-Up Enclosure |
| BN3000A Walk-Up Enclosure |
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