In a message dated 10/30/05 4:59:45 PM Central Standard Time, snipped-for-privacy@telecom-digest.org writes in response to a posting from C_shore :
The four-prong connectors you describe were not RJ connectors. They date from a least before World War II and were the common method of making telephones portable.
The RJ (modular) connectors came much later; in fact, you can I think still buy adapters with a RJ connector on the back of the four-prong plug so you don't have to replace your hard-wired four-prong jack.
The four-prong jack was used only for the mounting cord. Modular jacks and plugs are used today for the handset cord and various other purposes as well; the four-prong plug and jack are clearly unsuitable for that.
Wes Leatherock snipped-for-privacy@aol.com snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com