There are a number of web pages talking about AE and GTE, but they're pretty brief. I was wondering if anyone knew of any books or more substantive references that describe the history of those organizations, before and after they merged. I'm particularly interested in AE/GT during the war years and post war era. Also things like when they first introduced DTMF and non SxS (common control) switching.
(Automatic Electric was an independent (non Bell System) maker of telephone sets and switchgear, specializing in step by step. General Telephone was an independent telephone company and later owned AE. It merged with Verizon a few years ago. The Independents were a proud bunch of companies, but served high cost less populated areas. IMHO, AE sets aren't as good as Western Electric phones.)