How to Show Telephone Numbers on Letterheads, Bell System, c. 1964 [Ladislav Sutnar]

How to Show Telephone Numbers on Letterheads, n.d., c. 1964. Bell System, New York, USA. 8.5 x 11, pp. 16, stapled with uncoated stock. Layout and Information Design by Ladislav Sutnar (1897–1976).

A Bell System educational publication with (15) Ladislav Sutnar business and personal letterhead designs showing a variety of ways to display telephone numbers with area codes. From the short Introductory text by Sutnar ... ”For maximum usefulness and clarity always show all 10 numerals of the number [include the Area Code]." and "The Area Code may be identified by using the words “Area Code” and separated from the local number by extra spaces, as shown in this book. Or, if space is limited, the Area Code may be identified by setting it in parentheses."

“Sutnar is not acknowledged as the designer of the area code parentheses in part because they were so integral to the layout of the new calling system that they were instantly adopted into the language to become part of the vernacular. Moreover, he was never credited by the Bell System because it was felt that graphic designers, like their own functional graphics, should be transparent to the public eye — seen but not heard of.” — Steven Heller, Eye Magazine, Summer, 1994

A fine, uncirculated original booklet designed by Ladislav Sutnar.