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September 2015
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Computer Networking and Telecommunications Research

Buzby_badges

Buzby Badges

 

 

Buzby_badge_make_someone_happy

Buzby Badge – Make someone happy

This appears to be the most common form of Buzby badge measuring 55mm in diameter and showing Buzby perched on a telephone wire making a phone call. It carries the standard slogan of Make someone happy; by implication by telephoning them. These badges were given out in BT shops, at exhibitions and fairs.


   

Buzby_badge_make_someone_happy

Buzby Badge

A variation on the theme of the standard Buzby badge showing Buzby flapping his wings but not perched on the telephone wires or holding a phone. It measures 55mm in diameter and carries the Make someone happy slogan. It is marked on the rim as copyright of P.O. Telecommunications, 1978.


   
Buzby_badge_im_hung_up_on_you

Buzby Badge – I’m hung up on you

Yet another variation on the standard Buzby badge. Buzby is again shown perched on the telephone wires making a phone call but this time you can see the top of a telegraph pole and the slogan is I’m hung up on you! The badge measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright P.O. Telecommunications, 1978.

   
Buzby_badge_be_my_early_morning_buz

Buzby Badge – Be my early morning Buz

This badge features Buzby in bed and carries the slogan, Be my early morning Buz. This could be a reference to the alarm call service which allowed you to arrange for the operator to call you at a specific time of day. Early morning wake-up calls had to be booked before 10:00pm the previous day and an additional charge was made for the call. This badge measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright of P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros. London.

   
Buzby_Badge_Youre _my_greatest_Buz

Buzby Badge – You're my greatest Buz

This badge features Buzby making a telephone call with the slogan, You're my greatest Buz. It measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros.

   
Buzby_badge_just_ringing_in_the_rain

Buzby Badge – Just Ringing in the Rain

This badge features Buzby in the rain making a telephone call whilst standing on a telephone line. It paraphrases Gene Kelly with the slogan Just ringing in the rain. The badge measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright of P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros. London.

   
Buzby_badge_Bird_brain_of_Britain

Buzby Badge – Bird Brain of Britain

This Buzby badge declares that Buzby is the Bird Brain of Britain! The badge measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright Post Office Telecommunications and was distributed by Josam Bros.

   
Buzby_Badge_Bird_Call

Buzby Badge – Bird Call

This Buzby badge shows Buzby making a phone call with musical notes arranged above his head which means that he is making a Bird Call, not a telephone call! It measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright P.O. Telecommunications , 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros.

   
Buzby_badge_ring_around_the_clock

Buzby Badge – Ring around the clock

This Buzby badge features Buzby playing a guitar for The Buzbys rock group. It paraphrases Bill Haley and His Comets with the slogan, Ring around the clock and is obviously intended to encourage us to make phone calls throughout the day. This badge measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros. London.

   
Buzby_badge_hes_cool

Buzby Badge – He’s Cool

This badge features Buzby perched on his telephone wires making a telephone call and wearing dark glasses. The slogan is simply, He’s Cool . This badge, which is showing signs of age and damage, measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim as copyright of P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros. London.

   
Buzby_badge_is_it_a_bird_is_it_a_plane

Buzby Badge – Is it a plane?

Normally reserved for Superman here the answer to the question, Is it a bird. Is it a plane ???? is No ! It’s Buzby. It shows Buzby wearing a flying helmet travelling at high speed with his wings outstretched. This badge is showing some signs of damage and measures 55mm in diameter. On the rim it is marked as copyright of P.O. Telecommunications, 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros. London.

   
Buzby_badge_help_im_in_a_flap

Buzby Badge – I'm in a flap

This Buzby badge shows Buzby flapping his wings and carries the slogan, Help! I'm in a flap. It measures 55mm in diameter and is marked on the rim copyright P.O. Telecommunications 1978 and was distributed by Josam Bros.

   
Buzby_badge_phone_your_Xmas_greetings

Buzby Christmas Badge

A special edition of the Buzby badge released at Christmas to encourage you to use the telephone to send your Christmas greetings. It measures 45mm in diameter and features Buzby wearing a Santa Claus hat and holding a bag of presents. He is shown stood on a telephone wire making a phone call. The slogan is Make some happy, phone your Xmas greetings.

   
Buzby_badge_jubille_year

Buzby Jubilee Badge

This metal Buzby badge measures 45mm in diameter. It features Buzby standing on a telephone line talking on the phone but wearing a crown and holding a fanfare trumpet. The trumpet has a banner with 1952 and 1977 printed on it to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. The badge carries the usual Make someone happy slogan with the added, in Jubilee Year and additionally Cardiff Telephones.

   
Buzby_Badge_Make_Someone_happy_with_a_phone_call_Cardiff_Telephones

Buzby Badge – Make someone happy with a phone call

This smaller Buzby badge measures 38mm in diameter and shows Buzby perched on a telephone wire with one wing outstretched. He is saying, Make someone happy with a phone call and is promoting Cardiff Telephones. There is some question as to whether this is an official Buzby badge for although it clearly shows a Buzby like character, he is not wearing his usual yellow bib with the name Buzby written on it.

   
Buzby_badge_phone_them

Buzby Badge – Phone them

A smaller Buzby badge measuring 33mm in diameter and featuring Buzby in his standard pose standing on a telephone wire making a phone call. The Make someone happy! slogan is extended with a simple Phone them message.

   
Buzby_badge_look_it_up_in_your_library

Buzby Badge - Look it up in your library

Public libraries kept copies of telephone directories and the Yellow Pages. This Buzby badge which measures 45mm in diameter is promoting public libraries as the place to go to consult these directories. It carries the slogan, Look it up in your library.

   
Buzby_badge_The_Buzby_club

Buzby Club Badge

The Buzby marketing campaign took off to such an extent that there was even an official club and magazine. This Buzby Club badge is from that club and measures 45mm in diameter. It carries the Make someone happy slogan and additionally shows membership of The Buzby Club.

   
Buzby_badge_The_Junio_club

Buzby Junior Club Badge

Buzby proved to have broad appeal and for the youngsters, there was the Buzby Junior Club. This badge measures 45mm in diameter and signifies membership of this junior club. It carries the Make someone happy slogan and additionally shows membership of the Buzby Junior Club.

   
Buzby_badge_service_on_the_line

Buzby Badge – Service on the line

This Buzby badge measures 55mm in diameter and shows Buzby stood on a telephone line holding a tennis racket. It is marketing the Sheffield division of British Telecom and carries the slogan Service on the line.

   
Buzby_badge_dial_a_disc

Dial a Disc Buzby Badge

Long before you could download music from the web, the GPO introduced in 1966 the dial a disc service. Dialling 160 from your telephone between 6:00pm and 8:00am daily allowed you to listen through your telephone handset to a selected hit record (song). An extra song was available during daytime on a Sunday! This badge measures 40mm in diameter and uses Buzby to promote the service within the Cardiff area. It simply says Dial and Disc on 160 and promoted Cardiff telephones.

   
Buzby_badge_privatisation

Buzby Badge – Privatisation

This Buzby badge measures 45mm in diameter and carries the slogan, Privatisation – No Thanks. Quite who produced this badge or in what quantity is unclear. It would appear to be part of a campaign against the privatisation of British Telecom in 1984 and in that sense cannot be regarded as an official Buzby badge.

   
Buzby_badge_wring_buzbys_neck

Buzby Badge – Wring Buzby's Neck

Another rather unusual Buzby badge which measures 38mm in diameter. Clearly this was produced by someone who had either tired of the Buzby campaign or never warmed to it! It shows Buzby being hung by the neck from a rope and carries the slogan, Make someone happy – wring Buzby's neck.

   
Buzby_badge_save_Buzby_from_the_vultures

Buzby Badge – BT Research Engineers

Yet another example of an unusual Buzby Badge. This one measures 38mm in diameter and is credited to BT Research Engineers. It carries the slogan Save Buzby from the Vultures. But who were the vultures in this case – possibly the Government who were privatising British Telecom?

   
Buzby_enamel_badge

Buzby Enamel Badge

Here is a rather splendid enamel Buzby badge featuring Buzby in the centre perched on his telephone wire with wings outstretched and surrounded by three telephone handsets. It measures 33mm in diameter.

   
Buzby_round_pin_badge

Buzby Round Pin Badge

This small Buzby enamel pin badge measures 15mm in diameter. It features Buzby with his wings outstretched and wearing his vest top with Buzby written across it.

   
Buzby_large_lapel_badge

Large Buzby Lapel Badge

This plastic lapel badge is a cut-out of Buzby making a telephone call. It measures 60mm in height and 60mm at its widest point.

   
Buzby_medium_lapel_badge

Medium Buzby Lapel Badge

This plastic lapel badge shows Buzby standing whilst talking on the telephone. It measures 45 mm tall.

   
Buzby_small_lapel_badge

Small Buzby Lapel Badge

This multi-coloured metal Buzby lapel badge measures 30mm in height and shows Buzby legs crossed and deep in conversation on his telephone. It is marked as copyright P.O. Telecommunications, 1978.