Ericofon

The Ericofon is a one-piece plastic telephone created by the Ericsson Company of Sweden and marketed through the second half of the 20th century.

Early models were sold only to institutions; in 1956, however, production for the open market began in Europe and Australia.

As the Bell System did not permit the operation of third-party equipment on their network, the Ericofon could only be used by independent telephone companies in the United States.

A small number of phones with clear and metallic finishes were produced for special promotions.

The Ericotone ringer used a simple, one-transistor oscillator circuit to produce a distinctive "chirping" sound.

It was almost impossible for the average consumers to restore the hook switch mechanism to correct operating condition if it were so damaged.

The keypad of the Scandiphones was not a standard touch-tone arrangement but rather appeared in a circle to mimic a rotary dial.

A few other companies made Ericofon lookalikes with a more traditional-appearing keypad with the redesigned switch hook.