Probably should have said introduced in 1950. So yes still relatively new considering the 500’s 20-30 year service life.I have a 302 and a couple 500’s and one thing you notice that is easy to forget is how amazingly loud those old mechanical bell phones are. Not that subtle soothing digital ring we’ve all become so accustomed to. No those old WE’s are bone jarring, startle you when they ring to the point of half a heart attack loud. But since you rented your phone instead of owned it, it wasn’t uncommon to only have one phone and you’d need to hear it everywhere in the house. Introduced in 1936 the 302 has a sweeter, more delicate ring than the more industrial sounding 500. A girl I work with has a 500 as her cell phone ring tone and even that pale representation half makes you jump when you hear it.The WE 302 is often referred to as the “Lucy” phone for it’s prominence in the the 50’s tv show I Love Lucy so it still would have been very much the mainstay phone in 1951 and well beyond.Whenever I see an ’ol 302 it makes me smile, just as these old Peanuts strips have. Truly the subtle definition of an era, a time and a place.
Reading these very old strips is interesting in that Patty played such a huge roll….and seems to genuinely LIKE Charlie Brown….she almost seems like a best friend, more so than Linus at this time. And then, I wonder, why did she fade so far into the background of non-important character in later strips? Basically, she disappeared.
I can see Charlie Brown’s problem in the later strips – his wardrobe. Once he settled down to that shingle sweater he was doomed. After all, as the great philosophers ZZ Top told us “Women go crazy for a sharp dressed man.” Charlie Brown stopped being a sharp dressed man.
It;s funny how Patty and Violet were so nice to Charlie Brown in one moment, and all of the sudden in another, they were very mean. These early strips were quite complicated. And I wonder where exactly it is finally established that Snoopy is Charlie Brown’s dog and not just the neighboring dog. Did he adopted him at one point?
Linux0s about 8 years ago
I love that the phones are the classic Western Electric 302 style. The “modern” 500 series would be new in 1950.
Templo S.U.D. about 8 years ago
Gee… how big is Charlie Brown’s own appetite?
Linux0s about 8 years ago
Probably should have said introduced in 1950. So yes still relatively new considering the 500’s 20-30 year service life.I have a 302 and a couple 500’s and one thing you notice that is easy to forget is how amazingly loud those old mechanical bell phones are. Not that subtle soothing digital ring we’ve all become so accustomed to. No those old WE’s are bone jarring, startle you when they ring to the point of half a heart attack loud. But since you rented your phone instead of owned it, it wasn’t uncommon to only have one phone and you’d need to hear it everywhere in the house. Introduced in 1936 the 302 has a sweeter, more delicate ring than the more industrial sounding 500. A girl I work with has a 500 as her cell phone ring tone and even that pale representation half makes you jump when you hear it.The WE 302 is often referred to as the “Lucy” phone for it’s prominence in the the 50’s tv show I Love Lucy so it still would have been very much the mainstay phone in 1951 and well beyond.Whenever I see an ’ol 302 it makes me smile, just as these old Peanuts strips have. Truly the subtle definition of an era, a time and a place.
therese_callahan2002 about 8 years ago
My office’s new fax machine rings loud enough to be heard throughout the workplace.
JohnFarson19 about 8 years ago
By the way Chuck, love your suit.
wonka291 about 8 years ago
Is this Snoopy becoming Charlie Brown’s dog?
dlkrueger33 about 8 years ago
Reading these very old strips is interesting in that Patty played such a huge roll….and seems to genuinely LIKE Charlie Brown….she almost seems like a best friend, more so than Linus at this time. And then, I wonder, why did she fade so far into the background of non-important character in later strips? Basically, she disappeared.
mjb515 about 8 years ago
There is the issue that the Van Pelts are not in the strip yet and Linus may not be born.
Cronkers McGee Premium Member about 8 years ago
Two guests with ferocious appetites!
David Rickard Premium Member about 8 years ago
Appetite is coming, and he has a big ego
neverenoughgold about 8 years ago
Regarding old phones, I remember when you only needed to dial the last four digits to speak with someone in the same community…
bmckee about 8 years ago
I can see Charlie Brown’s problem in the later strips – his wardrobe. Once he settled down to that shingle sweater he was doomed. After all, as the great philosophers ZZ Top told us “Women go crazy for a sharp dressed man.” Charlie Brown stopped being a sharp dressed man.
bigcatbusiness about 8 years ago
It;s funny how Patty and Violet were so nice to Charlie Brown in one moment, and all of the sudden in another, they were very mean. These early strips were quite complicated. And I wonder where exactly it is finally established that Snoopy is Charlie Brown’s dog and not just the neighboring dog. Did he adopted him at one point?