In 1878, the Postal and Telegraph
Ministry was created to administer the services of post and telegraphy. Possibly
a French government statement about the perceived importance of the telephone
development, was that when the telephone appears in 1878, it is operated by a
private company. In 1889, the telephone service is nationalised. In 1909 two
managements clearly covering telecommunication activities are created, one for telegraphs
and another for telephone
services.
It isn’t until the 1970’s that
Telecommunications becomes an autonomous service under the Head
of Telecommunications (DGT). The DGT becomes France Telecom
on January 1, 1991.
France Telecom chose the S63, which was available in a number of decorator colours and two-tones.
Pictured in the following table and made by Socotel France, this vibrant orange dial phone with the common 2nd receiver, was common in the 1970’s. It was also made in some of the more subdued tones.
Various French telephones in the collection
