The largest number of phones to explode in one house Infographic

Strangely enough, when you google "The largest number of phones to explode in one house", this site is only the third hit you get. Clearly, this is an area that needs more detailed examination.

©2015 James Mathurin

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

First Telephone Death Threat Infographic

Telephone harassment is a very serious problem, which has a longer history than many people are aware of.

©2014 James Mathurin

Worst Answerphone message Infographic

I've had to find some new images for this entry, as the permissions on the images have changed since I originally shared it, but further research has found material that led to:

©2014 James Mathurin

The worst Answer-Phone message

The world’s worst answer-phone message was recorded in 1987 by Chun Miki, an Elementary School teacher from San Bernardino, in America. She used a recording of herself giving birth, which she edited down to 4 minutes. When questioned by police, after complaints were made by a tele-marketing firm trying to sell her double-glazing insurance, she said, “I’m just so proud of my little boy, Ronald, and bringing him into this world was such an amazing experience for me, so I just wanted to share some of it with the world.”

Ronald Miki, photographed in 1995, modelling his mother's range of coin-made head wear, which was promoted as, "Channelling the mind's power through the Third Eye". Photograph from The Next Web.

©2012 James Mathurin

First telephoned death-threat

The first ever telephoned death-threat was made on April 23^rd 1902, from Ethan Bitherwick-Showes to his school-friend Parker Johns, when Bitherwick-Showes discovered that Johns had framed him for the theft of their boarding schools ceremonial rain-hat, during their third year at MacWortie’s School for Young Gentlemen. When his fiancee let the secret slip, Bitherwick-Showes immediately telephoned Johns, screaming, “I swear Sir, that I shall beat you to death with a mahogany lavatory seat!”

An unrepentant Bitherwick-Showes, pictured in 1905, attending a civil prosecution brought about due to his 'persistent and obsessive nagging and prattling' of Parker Johns. He was found guilty, and fined 3/6. Photo by Paul Stevenson.

©2009 James Mathurin

The largest number of phones to explode in one house in one year

The largest number of phones to explode in one house in one year is 24, in 1997. It was in the house of Mary Davies, a resident of Columbus, Ohio. She told her local news channel, “A lot of people have said it was because of my pet Bush Baby, Bronson, marking them as his territory, but I think this is how angels communicate with us.”

Bronson, pictured in his habitat, which is now required by local ordnance to be kept at least 15 metres from any telephonic device. Photo courtesy of Eggybird

©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