1977 Alexander Graham Plane Prototype | Cliff Read & John Tyson

This rare 1977 Northern Telecom Alexander Graham Plane (AGP) prototype came from the personal collection of Cliff Read, a Bell-Northern Research industrial designer who worked on Northern Telecom telephone designs.

Cliff kept this prototype as his personal phone, giving it a special connection to the development of the Alexander Graham Plane. The phone was later signed by both Cliff Read and John Tyson, two BNR designers closely connected with Northern Telecom’s industrial design work.

Having the early pre-production field trial prototype, its personal provenance, and the signatures of both designers together makes this a particularly special piece in the Old Telephone Room collection. It helps tell the story not only of the AGP itself, but also of the people behind its design.

A low-production of 1000 phones or less built in 1977 on temporary soft aluminum tooling line before full production changes were made.

Designed by BNR Industrial Designers Cliff Read & John F. Tyson.

As Received August 30th 2025
From the private collection of BNR Industrial Designer Cliff Read.

This early sample differs from production models:

Single switch hook plunger vs. dual
No number card window
No counterbalance weights in the tail
Unmarked lower body
Glossy paper dial card vs production matte paper
Lower front body moulding fitment off

Canadian Patent # 42979 July 20th 1977.
All the parts are original and are date-matched:

Dial: 1977
Handset (upper & lower): 1977
Handset cord: 1977
Transmitter: May 10, 1977
Receiver: May 11, 1977
Ringer: May 1977
Network: 1977
Line cord: 1976

Dismantled

Pre-Production Dates

Cleaned and Refurbished

Cliff Read signing the Alexander Graham Plane Prototype Telephone on November 4, 2025.
This prototype was from his personal collection.

John Tyson September 03rd 2026
Signing The 1977 Alexander Graham Plane Prototype Telephone

I’m truly grateful to Cliff Read and John Tyson for taking the time to sign this Alexander Graham Plane phone and add their personal connection to its history.

Canadian and USA Patent for the Northern Telecom
1977 Alexander Graham Plane Phone.