The September 1952 Bell System Technical Journal had a series of articles on the development of nationwide toll telephone service: "Automatic Switching for Nationwide Telephone Service Clark, Fundamental Plans for Toll Telephone Plant, Nationwide Numbering Plan, and Automatic Toll Switching Systems." Interesting stuff.
Also included is a discussion of design details for reliability reliability--a layperson would not realize all the minute issues that must be considered for reliability; as well as a report on semiconductor electrical noise.
Issue table of contents: