This rare 1968 Northern Electric Contempra Field Trial Phone #1096 is one of approximately 1,000 early sets produced for field-trial purposes while the production tooling was still being developed.
Several details set this phone apart from later Contempra production models, including its 1968-dated base components, early Northern Electric logo, Contempra logo on the metal base, notched ringer control and other small design differences. The phone also has a tiny 1967 date moulded inside the body.
The phone was designed by John F. Tyson and was signed by him on August 25, 2026. It is part of the Old Telephone Room collection.
The metal base features the copyrighted Contempra logo, unlike the Northern Electric logo moulded into the bases of later production models.
A Northern Electric logo, with a registered date of 1967, is embossed on the face of the body rather than the Contempra logo found on later versions.
A tiny 1967 date is also moulded into the inside of the body.
Another distinguishing feature is the ringer volume control. On this early field-trial model, the control is notched, whereas later production Contempra Phones used a lever-style control.
Photos of differences on this Field Trial phone vs Production phone.
Dated Parts
Metal Base Comparison: Field trial left vs Production right
Signed by the Designer
This 1968 Field Trial Contempra Phone was signed by John F. Tyson on August 25, 2026 the designer, inventor, and patent holder of the Contempra Phone.
My sincere thanks and appreciation goes out to John Tyson for taking the time to sign this Contempra phone.
In The Display Case.
Below information taken from article in the May 1968 Telesis Magazine.
Link to Contempra Phone PDF article below.
