Longest a telephone has been left off the hook Infographic

To be fair, this probably would not be possible today, with voicemail and other telephonic advances. Still, credit where credit is due.

©2015 James Mathurin

Most shameless politician

The world’s most shameless politician is Armando Ciabbatta of Italy. While being interviewed on national television in 1978 on charges of corruption, he reacted to a question he didn’t like by bribing the interviewer, Toni Moccietto while still on camera. When the interviewer refused the money, Ciabbatta demanded, “That’s not enough? Well tough, I’ve been spending too much money buying votes to waste it on the likes of you!”

Toni Moccietto photographed as Armando Ciabbata stormed out of the studio, photographed by robertgaal.

©2009 James Mathurin

Longest a telephone has been left off the hook

The longest a telephone was ever left to ring without being answered was 17 months and 5 days. It was due to Marcia Luffoni of Parma, Italy calling her boyfriend, Luca Baggabona before they set off on a round-the-world cruise on 5^th June 1975. “I called Luca to ask him to remember to bring his Gucci verruca sock, but before he answered I remembered I had forgotten to pack my Prada travel insurance document holder.” Unbeknownst to Marcia, Luca had already left his house, so his telephone went unanswered. Luca arrived at Marcia’s house before she returned to her telephone, and they left in a hurry, as they were running late. Thus, Marcia’s telephone remained off the hook, and Luca’s rang until he returned home on the 10^th November 1976. “I am just glad the phone was ringing, and not answered,” Luca said later, “As even our combined salaries could not have paid off such a bill.”

©2008 James Mathurin