| Name | 670-A2 Telephone Set |
| Date | 1966 |
| Manufacturer | Tamura Electric Works for NTT |
| Usage | Private. Similar devices were produced on the international market not only for NTT Japan, but also for ToT Thailand, PTT Argentina, ITT USA, CANTV Venezuela and PTT Portugal. Used in Australia as the Victa RedPhone Used also by Kellogg’s in the USA as the KELLOGG K-581 payphone |
Development of the 1966 Red- Large Size Red Public Telephone Set
| 670A1 Desktop Telephone In 1966 (Showa 41), there was a growing demand for public telephones that could dial numbers nationwide, and public telephones capable of making long-distance calls appeared. Its features included being taller than conventional telephones, being able to accept up to six 10-yen coins at once, and proudly displaying a “golden belt” that read “You can dial long-distance calls.” Commonly known as: Large Red Telephone. Year of manufacture: 1968. Manufacturer: Tamura Electric Works Co., Ltd. As direct intercity dialing spread across Japan during the 1960s, demand grew for a new public telephone capable of handling nationwide direct-dial calls. In 1965, a prototype large-sized red public telephone was installed at Tokyo Station to test this emerging technology. Fully introduced in June 1966, the new model allowed callers to dial distant regions directly using area codes beginning with “0,” eliminating the need for operator assistance. The telephone featured a lower, more streamlined profile than earlier red phones and was distinguished by a gold band marked “For Direct Long-Distance Calls.” It symbolised Japan’s rapidly modernising telecommunications network. Below- period advertising. This payphone model was Tamura’s most successful, and was exported widely to Australia. It was also used in the USA and other countries. |
Above- Large red public telephone for long-distance calls (1966-)
As automatic, instant dialing became widespread throughout Japan and a distance- and time-based pricing system was implemented, public telephones that could hold up to six 10-yen coins appeared. The coins were inserted using signals sent from the exchange at intervals shorter for longer distances and longer for shorter distances.
Source- https://hct.rd.ntt/panel/tech_01.html
Period information posters (Australian advertisement on the right)
Main heading:
“Are you using public telephones according to their colours?”
Models shown and named:
- “New Type Blue Telephone” (新形青電話)
- “Large Red Telephone” (大型赤電話)
- “Small Red Telephone” (小形赤電話)
Information given:
- The blue phone is the newer direct-dial type.
- The large red phone is specifically designed for long-distance direct dialing.
- The small red phone is the older local-call type.
- Different charging systems and dialing methods apply depending on the colour and type.
The large red phone is described as suitable for direct long-distance calls using area codes beginning with “0.” This reflects the expansion of Japan’s nationwide direct dialing system during the mid-1960s.
Above left- Red phone used in Brazil and (right) used in Portugal
Below- the RedPhone was also supplied with a stand for use in shops
Leave a Reply