During WW II the Bell System devoted all its resources to the war effort. At the end of the war it faced a massive backlog in service orders. In addition, massive new commercial, residential, and industrial construction made it harder to get caught up. Many times new suburban developments (like Levittown PA) were served solely by temporary pay phones until plant could be built. Many residences wanted private line service but had to stick with party lines.
Would anyone know of any resources that get into the postwar history in detail? All I've been able to find are broad generalities. I saw one article that suggested different sections of the country got caught up at different times. I wondered if one operating company would lend assistance to another.