Western Electric Tube Paperweight

Western Electric Tube Paperweight Western Electric Tube Paperweight
This is a paperweight (or desk ornament) which commemorated a 1954 event in the history of Western Electric.  "B-E" may stand for "break even", the point at which sales revenues have just equaled development costs on a product or product line, and profitability has begun.

In this case, the product must have been tubes, as inside this clear plastic block is a complete WE 408A tube, and all the component parts of a second tube.  It measures about 2 inches square, and 2 1/2 inches high. 

To the right is a similar item, a Western Electric keychain, with an embedded transistor.  These were given to employees of their Allentown, PA plant.

Western Electric Transistor Keychain

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