Avoid Saying Hello

Wall Street Journal - Apr 25, 1983

Posted By: Alex - Thu Apr 05, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Business, Telephones, 1980s

Doral Telephone of Tomorrow

In 1974, Doral cigarettes ran a promotion featuring a telephone of tomorrow. "A $125 Value... It's Yours For Only $69.95."

I'm not sure how it was supposed to sell cigarettes, but I was curious if any of these tomorrow telephones were still around. Found one on eBay. Bidding is currently at $2.

Posted By: Alex - Tue Apr 03, 2018 - Comments (4)
Category: Telephones, 1970s

Phone Number Sweater

Give every weird pervert in the world your phone number. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?

Carlisle Evening Sentinel - Sep 30, 1971

Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 20, 2017 - Comments (6)
Category: Fashion, Telephones, 1970s

Infraphone

The Infraphone, invented by Douglas Reddan circa 1960, used infrared light to allow people to communicate wirelessly at distances of several hundred yards. You had to aim your infraphone at another infraphone, which you did by looking through a sight on top of the unit. Then you could talk into the device, just like using a phone.

It's an interesting idea, but I can't really think of a situation when this would provide an advantage over using a radio walkie talkie. Maybe because the signal can't be intercepted as easily? But then there's the awkwardness of having to aim the device. Articles about it frequently suggested it could be used as a wireless intercom.

Eugene Guard - Nov 14, 1960

Palm Beach Post - June 4, 1961

Popular electronics - Feb 1961 (via RF Cafe)

Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 12, 2017 - Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Telephones, 1960s

Just Imagine

The uproarious laughter by the human executive at the antics of Tommy Telephone, a plainly impossible vision, proclaims that the fellow is gratefully descending into the dark swamp of insanity due to the high stresses of his job.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 10, 2016 - Comments (2)
Category: Business, Advertising, Corporate Mascots, Icons and Spokesbeings, Products, Communications, Delusions, Fantasies and Other Tricks of the Imagination, Technology, Telephones, Cartoons, Stop-motion Animation, 1940s, Brain Damage

Howling Dog Phone Ringer

October 1932: A Seattle woman complained that her phone never rang, but she could tell when someone was trying to call her because her dog would start howling in the yard. The telephone repair guy investigated. Realized the dog wasn't psychic. Instead, there was a short in the line and the dog was chained to the ground wire.

Indianapolis Star - Oct 23, 1932

Posted By: Alex - Wed Mar 09, 2016 - Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Telephones, 1930s

Hairware

Control your phone by stroking your hair. It's a technology invented by Katia Vega of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, who explains: "we add new functionalities to hair extensions, turning them into a seamless device that recognizes auto-contact behaviors concealed to outside observers."

This is obviously a technology invented by someone who has lots of hair. Useless for us hairless types. Though she does say she has plans for a way of controlling apps by stroking your beard.

Posted By: Alex - Fri May 01, 2015 - Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, Telephones, Hair and Hairstyling

Automatic Telephone Dialer

So this gadget stored a few phone numbers and allowed the convenience of one-button dialing. Would such functionality have been worth $360.00 even in 1978?

Original ad here.

Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 02, 2015 - Comments (7)
Category: Technology, Telephones, 1970s

Microwaved iPhone

Artist Kenny Irwin is selling a microwaved gold iPhone 6 on eBay for $6,660. Yes, he purposefully microwaved it. He's also signed and dated his creation. Irwin warns that, "Winner bidder will receive two NO A LONGER WORKING iPHONE because IT HAS BEEN MICROWAVED."

Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 22, 2014 - Comments (5)
Category: Art, Telephones

The NoPhone

The NoPhone is a black piece of plastic shaped like an iPhone. It's designed to act as a "technology-free alternative" for those suffering from "phone addiction."

According to the NoPhone's kickstarter page, "the NoPhone acts as a surrogate to any smart mobile device, enabling you to always have a rectangle of smooth, cold plastic to clutch without forgoing any potential engagement with your direct environment."

They're trying to raise $30,000 to produce these things, and are currently at $1,763.

Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 15, 2014 - Comments (16)
Category: Technology, Telephones