[Station X]

The use of iron (actually I think it was steel) coated copper for drop wire had nothing to do with a shortage of copper. It was done to impart strength to what would otherwise been comparatively small diameter cadmium copper wire. Before the advent of drop wire two bare copper wires weighing 40 pounds per mile were run from the distribution pole to the premises.

It pre-dates the copper shortage which came about when Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the UK in November 1965. Sanctions meant that Zambian cooper could no longer be shipped via Rhodesia and South Africa.

I believe drop wire was introduced to permit speedier installation of domestic telephones by "One Man Installers". Previous to that an overhead gang made up of four men would have installed the drop using bare copper wire.