Evolution of Design: From Bauhaus Telephone to Model 302 Telephone

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The research study will show the comparison between two popular telephones - “Bauhaus Telephones” designed by H. Fuld & Company, Telefonbau & Normalzeit, and the “Model 302” designed by Henry Dreyfuss. The Bauhaus telephone was designed in 1929 whereas the Model 302 was designed in 1937. The research will show the evolution of design in the telephones based on the user experience and the effects of the pre-war conditions.

Bauhaus telephone was selected for the New Frankfurt housing program; a modern low cost development intended to relieve the post-World War I housing shortage. After the invention of Model 302 telephone, Bell received many complaints about its workmanship, but the issue was resolved in 1941, when Western Electric was obliged to switch from metal to a lighter thermoplastic body, a change necessitated by the metal shortages of World War II. The ongoing war condition resulted in a specific change in the design of these telephones that were low cost, easy to use and readily available.

Frankfurt started out with a normal desk top telephone, as it was specifically designed for a housing project. There were versions with an earthing button, 2-line versions with levers for selecting the desired telephone line, etc. The handset changed too, over time. The design for the inlet of the cord was changed, probably to make it less prone to damage. By 1936, the new Model of 302 was introduced to replace 202 with a sleeker handset that eliminated the cup like mouthpiece of the previous version.

The Bauhaus telephone was designed in Germany, and the Model 302 was designed in America. The Bauhaus telephone evolved from its previous models in terms of its design and the materials used in making the telephone. Dreyfuss had a lot of models to study and design a telephone that was more user friendly than the others. He came up with “Model 302”

Fig 1. Bauhaus Telephone Fig 2. Model 302 Telephone

Bibliography

Antique Model 302 telephone. (n.d). Collectors Weekly. https:// www.collectorsweekly.com/ telephones/302s

‘BAUHAUS’ TELEPHONE. (2014, August). Mass Interface. http:// maas-interface-exhibition.s3website-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws. com/object/bauhaus-telephone/ index.html

Bickerstaff, C. (2013). Fuld ‘Bauhaus’ telephone designed by Marcel Breuer and Richard Schadewell. Powerhouse collection. https://collection.maas.museum/ object/474363

that was handy, streamlined and was more comfortable. The material change in Model 302 from Bauhaus telephone was from heavy metal to bakelite and hard plastic, majorly because of its non conductive nature and lighter weight. The Model 302 was more comfortable to use than the other models due to its compact lightweight design, curved edges and the design of handset was such that it stuck between the ear and shoulder easily without sliding.

The research study will show the evolution of Model 302 from Bauhaus Telephone with what led to the discovery of both of them and about it’s user experience and how world war I & II affected them.

Chris, R. [Director]. [2010]. The Genius of Design [Documentary]. Episode 2. Youtube. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=LsDCNL_ rAjs

Fuld Model Frankfurt “Bauhaus”. (n.d.). Matilo. http://www.matilo. eu/3-the-phones/1926-1945bakeliet-ww2/english-fuld-modelfrankfurt-bauhaus/?lang=en

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Lupton. (2016, May 30). Evolution of the telephone. Princeton Arch Press. https://medium.com/@ PAPress/evolution-of-thetelephone-6ba0ff08d080

McDonald, AA (2015, January 23). From ‘Candlestick’ to ‘Lucy’: Telephone tells a National Story. YaleNews. ttps://news.yale. edu/2015/01/23/candlestick-lucytelephone-tells-national-story