Wow, I seem to have started something here!

On the ring-back numbers, there was no standard code. The codes were assigned individually for each office, and in some types of switching equipment (e.g. step-by-step) the choice may well have been influenced by the ease or difficulty with which a certain number could be trunked into the selectors. Apart from the test ring-back numbers, there were also codes which were given out to normal subscribers to enable them to dial other people on the same party line.

Numbers seem to pop-up in songs quite regularly: There's a Chuck Berry record ("Promised Land") which quotes a Virginia number TIdewater 4-1009. I have no idea whether 844 was a valid prefix within the 703 area back then.

By the way folks, that PEnnsylvania 6-5000 number in NYC is long-lived! Go ahead and try it: (212) 736-5000. [Linked Image]



[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 04-02-2003).]