I would like to give full credit to Warren Ellis for these photos.
A former BNR employee with a 31-year career working at Northern Telecom.
He worked in the Design Interpretive group under John Tyson, Warren built prototype samples during his time at BNR.
He has generously shared 75 images of Northern Telecom prototype telephones and Meridian cabinets from the 1980s.
These photos feature display models only, without functional components.
While some of these designs were eventually released, others never made it to market.
Here are a few samples from his collection—some of which are being shown publicly for the first time.
June 1, 1984 – Presenting the Harmony Phone, with Warren Ellis (LEFT) and his colleagues.
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The prototype phone below was sent to the
Epcot Center in Florida for display sometime in the 1980s.
Its current whereabouts are unknown.
Display Samples
1980’s Multi-Line Prototype Samples
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The prototype wristwatch below was designed for the hearing impaired, intended to vibrate when the telephone, doorbell, or smoke detector activated. However, it never made it to market.
Meridian M3000 Prototype Display Models
Prototype Millennium Pay Stations
Prototype Displayphone Samples
Prototype Northern Telecom Cabinets.
Warren Ellis is on the left.
I would like to express my gratitude to Warren Ellis
for his generous donation of these wonderful photos.