The Pioneer Triangle and Its Meaning

From the very first, the Pioneer symbol was a double triangle around the words “Telephone Pioneers of America,” and, in the center, the Bell system’s traditional bell.  Appearing on the bell is number 174,465, the United States patent number given to the Bell’s fundamental principle of the electric speaking telephone.  In 1912, two other numbers appeared on the symbol, flanking the lower corner of the bell.  The date 1875 commemorates the experiment of June 2, when Bell verified the theory of the electrical transmission of speech; the second date, 1911, the organization of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

As an industrial symbol, the Blue Bell was modernized from time to time.  The Pioneers, however, clung to the original design which was made in 1888 by Angus Hibbard.  But eventually, they, too, succumbed and since 1959 the Pioneer bell had had an up-to-date look.  That same year, the triangle was registered with the United States Patent Office as a membership mark.

The Pioneer triangle was designed by Henry Pope.  According to Thomas Lockwood, the design was merely an artistic conception.  Not until the 1940’s did the words Fellowship, Loyalty and Service become attached to the three sides.  It was a most happy choice, however, since no words can better describe every thought and every action behind the Pioneer movement.  The name of the word-architect is lost to fame but his contribution was an important one.  It gave Pioneers an articulate peg on which to hang their three-cornered hat!

Ever since 1911, the emblem has been stamped into pieces of jewelry.  The watch fob has gone the way of spats and celluloid collars, but the lapel pins, charms and other adornments still enjoy great vogue among the members.

Article taken from “The Telephone Pioneers of America” 1911-1961