Isaac Aaronson, superintendent at Bell Telephone Company, scrapbook
Creation: 1913-1962Abstract
Isaac "Ike" Aaronson (1875-1962) was a division construction superintendent for the Bronx Division of the Bell Telephone Company. In this role, he supervised the relocation and splicing of cables in subways, rapid transit, and across bridges. Bell Telephone Company was a telecommunications company that led the Bell System of telephone services throughout North America between 1877 and 1983. This scrapbook primarily focuses on Aaronson's Testimonial Dinner, which was held on April 7, 1938, after he retired from the company after forty-five years. The contents include magazine and newspaper clippings about Aaronson's career and the Testimonial Dinner, telegrams and correspondence sending regrets for being unable to attend the dinner and felicitations on his retirement, a dinner menu, and event photographs. The remainder of the album consists of materials documenting Aaronson's career at the telephone company.
Dates
- Creation: 1913-1962
Creator
- Bell Telephone Company (Organization)
- Aaronson, Isaac, 1875-1962 (Compiler, Person)
Extent
1 Linear Foot
Physical Description
1 scrapbook, removed from binding for preservation puproses; scrapbook has not been retained. The materials were not affixed to the pages, but rather laid-in between them. The original order was maintained as much as possible. The materials have been placed into an archival album to maintain a "scrapbook" aesthetic.
Biographical Note
Isaac "Ike" Aaronson (1875-1962) was a division construction superintendent for the Bronx Division of the Bell Telephone Company. He began his telephone career in Manhattan in 1893 as a wireman, becoming an assistant foreman in 1899, foreman in 1903, and division foreman in 1905. He was made supervising foreman in 1916 and became installation supervisor in 1921. In 1926, he was transferred to the Bronx as division installation superintendent, and from 1927 until his retirment he served as division construction superintendent. In this role, he supervised the relocation and splicing of cables in subways, rapid transit, and across bridges. He was an active member of the Bronx-Westchester Telephone Pioneers of America and served as its president for two terms.
He married Ella Friedman Aaronson (1887-?) in 1901; the couple had three sons and a daughter.
Historical Note
Bell Telephone Company was a telecommunications company that led the Bell System of telephone services throughout North America between 1877 and 1983. The company, founded in 1877, was named after telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922). Licensed telephone exchanges were established in major cities across the country, known as franchises. These franchises and the parent company became known as the Bell System. The American Bell Telephone Company was established in 1882 as the parent company, and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company as a subsidiary in 1885. Bell Telephone Company was also a subsidiary of the American Bell Telephone Company until 1899, when American Telephone and Telegraph Company became the parent company.
The electrical engineering and manufacturing company Western Electric Company became the primary telephone equipment supplier, manufacturer, and purchasing agent for the Bell System from 1881 to 1984. Western Electric was a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Telephone Company (and later AT&T).
Antitrust suits were brought against Bell Telphone Company in 1949 and again in 1974. The first lawsuit resulted in a 1956 consent decree that limited the company's network and contracts. The second lawsuit was settled in 1982, and divestiture took place in 1984. The Bell System ended its operation. In its place were seven new regional companies and a new AT&T that retains its long-distance service, manufacturing, and research and development operations.
Scope and Contents
This scrapbook primarily focuses on Aaronson's Testimonial Dinner, which was held on April 7, 1938, after he retired from the company after forty-five years. The contents include magazine and newspaper clippings about Aaronson's career and the Testimonial Dinner, telegrams and correspondence sending regrets for being unable to attend the dinner and felicitations on his retirement, a dinner menu, and event photographs.
The dinner was held at Ben Riley's Arrowhead Inn in Riverdale, New York. There are numerous photographic postcards depicting views of the inn, as well as Aaronson's farewell speech typescript with handwritten annotations and corrections. His speech contains many reflections and reminiscences of events throughout his career. The scrapbook includes a thank-you letter from Ella Aaronson to the planning committee.
There are a few personal and general business letters, individual portraits of Aaronson, group portraits, and snapshots of coworkers and family. Additionally, there is a 1962 letter to Ella Aaronson, who, upon the death of her husband, sent condolences and reflections on Aaronson's work and character.
The remainder of the album consists of materials documenting Aaronson's career at the telephone company. There is a 1913 employee record showing his pay rates between 1893 and 1911; a 1924 employee expense voucher with accompanying notes; and two 1924 plant installation reports written by Aaronson, one about Texas and St. Louis and one about Southwestern Bell. There is a series of letters between members of the Bronx-Westchester Telephone Pioneers of America related to meeting minutes, officers' service, and general news.
Access Restrictions
No restrictions on acess; this collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Isaac Aaronson, superintendent at Bell Telephone Company, scrapbook
- Author:
- Laurie Sather
- Date:
- 2024
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository
