History - productivity gains by the 608 (white) PBX cord switchboard? [telecom]

Around 1960, the Bell Systen introduced its last cord PBX switchboard, the 608. The jackface and table were white, not black, and the key shelf was all pushbutton, not levers.

It had several productivity features to aid operators. Among those:

--automatic ringing: When the operator inserted the cord into the jack of the desired extension, ringing began automatically with an audible signal. This eliminated the need for the operator to keep throwing the ringing key in the proper cadence and to inform the caller of status.

--separate awaiting-answer and disconnect supervisory signals: In older switchboards, the cord supervisory signal glowed if the extension was on hook. The operator had to track and be careful to distinguish between calls not answered, and, calls that were finished. In the 608, a steady light meant the call was done, while a slow blink meant it was awaiting answer.

--automatic flashing recall: In older switchboards, an extension that needed to 'flash' the operator had to keep depressing the hookkswitch until she noticed the flashing signal and answered; it was easy to miss such a signal. In the 608, a single depression would generate a rapid blink of the supervisory signal.

Question: Did the above features _significantly_ improve operator productivity and extension service? Has anyone here operated a 608 board?

The 608 could be found in both large and small installations. I recall seeing them in all the motels at a seashore resort.

At the same time (1960s), the Bell System was working hard to enhance both key systems and dial PBXs. Cordless console switchboards, which became popular in the 1960s, improved operator productivity with all of the above plus fully automatic disconnection and certain other features, like camp-on. Key systems replaced the smaller PBX's, like the 507. In 1962, for instance, the Bell System announced a dial PBX specifically for motels, which included message registers to tally local calls made from a room, message-waiting signal lights for rooms, and remote answer if the desk clerk was away.

*** Moderator's Note ***

I always thought that "608" boards were assoicated with step PBX installations. Not so? Bill

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