New york phone book

The nostalgia! The New York City phone book, also known as the "White Pages" or "Directory Assistance," was a staple of everyday life in the city for many years. Here's a brief history and some fun facts:

History: The first New York City phone book was published in 1878 by the New York Telephone Company. It contained about 50,000 listings and was a single volume. Over the years, the phone book grew in size and complexity, with new features like alphabetical listings, classified ads, and directories for specific neighborhoods.

Fun Facts:

  1. The "White Pages": The main directory, containing residential and business listings, was called the "White Pages" due to its white cover.
  2. The "Yellow Pages": The classified advertising section, featuring businesses and services, was called the "Yellow Pages" due to its yellow cover.
  3. The "Green Pages": In the 1990s, a separate directory for environmentally friendly businesses and services was introduced, with a green cover.
  4. The "411": Directory Assistance, which allowed you to look up phone numbers by name, was often referred to as "411" (the area code for New York City).
  5. The "Phone Book Wars": In the 1980s, a rivalry emerged between the New York Telephone Company and the Bell Atlantic Corporation, which led to the creation of competing phone books.
  6. The decline of the phone book: With the rise of online directories and search engines, the demand for printed phone books decreased significantly. In 2011, the New York Telephone Company stopped publishing the phone book.

Where to find old phone books: If you're looking for a nostalgic trip or want to research a specific business or person, you can try the following:

  1. New York Public Library: The NYPL has a collection of old phone books, including some rare and out-of-print editions.
  2. Internet Archive: The Internet Archive, a digital library, has scanned and made available many old phone books, including those from New York City.
  3. Local libraries and archives: Many local libraries and archives in New York City may have copies of old phone books or be able to provide access to them.

Remember, the phone book was once an essential tool for finding phone numbers, addresses, and services in New York City. While it's no longer a staple of everyday life, it remains a nostalgic reminder of the past.