Century 21 Calling

by Fairbanks (Jerry) Productions · 1964

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This video segment, "Century 21 Calling," offers a fascinating look at the futuristic landscape of the Seattle World's Fair in 1962, centered around the Bell System pavilion. It showcases the Bell System's cutting-edge innovations, such as the Bellboy service for always-available communication, direct distance dialing for quick calls, and touch-tone dialing for efficiency. The video also delves into the future of telephone switching centers, highlighting the role of transistors and other miniaturized technologies in creating an electronic central office capable of rapid and automated service management. Watch as the segment demonstrates advanced telephone features, including call transfer, handling busy lines, and remote control functions, all operated through user-friendly commands. The video hints at future possibilities, such as turning off ovens or watering lawns from afar, and underscores the ongoing research at Bell Telephone Laboratories aimed at improving telephone services.