1971 Northern Electric Contempra Prototype Speakerphone

This rare 1971 Northern Electric Contempra prototype combines the distinctive Contempra design with a built-in speakerphone. It is an unusual example from the early development of this iconic Canadian telephone.

The prototype is part of the Old Telephone Room collection and provides another look at how the Contempra design was adapted and experimented with beyond the standard telephone models. It is one of the more unusual Contempra examples in the collection.

Congratulations, You have indeed discovered a rare prototype of Contempra that I designed. Meant for market research, the working prototype product featured a speaker phone for hands-free use.
“John F. Tyson”