<P> The initial 86 area codes were assigned in 1947 as routing codes for operator calls ; the first cross-country Bell System direct distance dial call was made in 1951 . The system was based on fixed - length numbers ; a direct - dial long distance call consisted of a three - digit area code and a seven - digit local number . Numbers in 2L + 4N cities ( such as Montréal and Toronto ) were systematically lengthened to seven digits in the 1950 's , a few exchanges at a time , so that all local numbers were seven digits when direct distance dialling finally came to town . </P>
<P> The initial 86 area codes were assigned in 1947 as routing codes for operator calls ; the first cross-country Bell System direct distance dial call was made in 1951 . The system was based on fixed - length numbers ; a direct - dial long distance call consisted of a three - digit area code and a seven - digit local number . Numbers in 2L + 4N cities ( such as Montréal and Toronto ) were systematically lengthened to seven digits in the 1950 's , a few exchanges at a time , so that all local numbers were seven digits when direct distance dialling finally came to town . </P>
when did the 7 digit phone number start
when did the 7 digit phone number start
1947
1947