The Badges Of Our Profession: Service Pins
by Jack Snyder
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", February 1987, page 8
What is the distinguishing mark that enables us to recognize a fellow
telephone employee at a glance? "The only sure badge of the telephone
profession is the one frequently worn on the lapel or bodice"...according
to a 1922 Ohio Bell Telephone Co. magazine. In addition to the bodice in the
present day you'd also have to look at the neckline, belt line, wrist, and ring
finger on every chance encounter with a stranger to verify if he or she is a
member of the Bell fraternity.
Ohio Bell employees had expressed a desire for a
service insignia as early as 1921. Suggestions were solicited and 141 designs
were submitted by the employees. A committee of long service employees from
around the state was appointed to pass judgment and choose a winner. After an
extended examination of all of the designs a composite was made from 4 of the
best entries.
The pin was a replica of the Ohio State Seal with a large bell
imposed in the center. Along with the bell, a bundle of 17 arrows showed Ohio
was the 17th state. A sheaf of wheat attests to the state's fertile Ohio Valley.
The word "service" radiates from the sun. Surprisingly the committee
failed to show the words "Ohio Bell".
An event unique in Ohio
telephone history took place on July 27th, 1922, when simultaneously in 20 towns
and cities Bell employees gathered to emphasize the joy and dignity of service.
The occasion for holding the meetings was for the presentation of 10 Vail awards
and 1700 service buttons. Employees with 5 or more years of continuous Bell
System service took home their first ever service pin. Pensioners also were
recognized with a pin. It was certainly an unprecedented event of great
magnitude that instilled more pride in the Bell System family.
L to R: 2 year Illinois Attendance Charm; 3 year operator's
attendance charm
(note: plugs at the top and bottom)
L to R: 25 year Illinois; 20 year New England; 10 year Michigan
Strangely enough
employees were expected to exchange their button in order to receive one of a
higher grade at the 5th year interval. The company went to great lengths to make
sure the button was returned before the next level was issued. Retirees were
also forced to relinquish their service pin for one that showed the total years
of service they had accumulated. This practice extended well into the mid 30's.
The company abandoned this practice when employees finally refused to turn in
their previous pin.
The pins have changed considerably over the years...in 1952,
the name "Ohio Bell" was added in exchange for the word
"service". Additional accessories were added in 1955...brooches,
bracelets, tie bars and necklaces. The gold standard was attained in 1959, no
more bronze or silver pins were made. In 1970, white gold and the new bell were
introduced with colored stones that replaced the star system.
Unlike most Bell
Companies (and independents)...Ohio Bell didn't use the strict star system. The
strict star system equates to 5 years of service per star. Prior to 1959 Ohio
Bell used a variation of stars and different metals to signify years of service.
In addition to service pins, safety committee and sales quotas pins were also
awarded. They normally don't resemble service pins even though a bell is
incorporated in the design.
Charms (or pins) with a number that isn't divisible
by the 5 are most certainly perfect attendance awards. Employees prided
themselves in winning such awards years ago. In most recent years allegiance to
the company has faded considerably.
Variations of pins abound from the literally
hundreds of telephone companies that once existed. Since precedents and
practices didn't exist for the independent companies (non-Bell) their pins tend
to be more distinctive.
We don't wear our pins like the pioneers use to but we
still covet them...after all those 5 or 6 pins represent a lifetime of
"service".
GOLD Independent Shield with a chain and bar
that is engraved N.I.T.C.
(Northern Indiana Telephone Company)
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