Bell System Practices

The Bell System Practices was a multi-volume encyclopedia of technology information developed and maintained by the Bell System for use by its employees. Everything from accounting and human resources procedures to complete technical breakdowns of every product serviced by the Bell System were covered, with details specific to the best way to wrap a wire around a screw.

With sections regularly updated, printed and distributed, the "BSPs" were the key to the standardized service quality throughout the country, and allowed employees who had never met to easily work with one another in the event of a service outage disaster or merely when relocating. While publishing ceased with the breakup of the Bell System, many of the practices defined by the BSPs are still used today and many have been adopted as canon by the International Telecommunication Union.

See Also

• Telephone Set BSP Reference
• Telephone Booth BSP Reference