Answering machine...

Answering Machine Message: An answering machine, often known as ‘answerphone’, ‘ansaphone’ or ‘ansafone’ is a device used for answering telephone calls automatically. It also records messages often left by callers in case the person called is unable to answer. Though it is often confused with a voicemail, an answering machine is installed at the premises of a customer or incorporated with a telephone. Earlier answering machines used magnetic tape technology, which is the latest equipment that incorporates solid state memories. Many answering machines still use magnetic tape, but it is difficult to find such a device in most of the stores. With an answering machine, you can leave a message in case you cannot get through to the person you intend to speak to. Earlier, many important messages used to remain unanswered due to the unavailability of such a device. Now with the invention of answering machines, you do not have to worry if the person does not attend to the phone call due to other commitments. You can simply leave the message or greeting for the concerned person on the answering machine. It comes in different designs and technologies. You can also get one in a digital form that can be used with a printer. Technologies such as Predictive Dialing and Voice Broadcasting depend on telephony hardware and software to detect the difference between a live person answering the phone and an answering machine. BellSouth is one of the popular companies who make answering machines.

Answering Machines and funny messages: The answering machine was invented in 1904. A Danish telephone engineer called Valdemar Poulsen, patented a device known as a telegramophone in his name. It is believed to be the first practical machine used for magnetic sound recording and sound reproduction. It used to record conversations over the telephone. It recorded the varying magnetic fields on a wire that were produced by sound. Then, magnetized wire was used to play back the sound. However, until 1935, there were no traces of the answering machine. Mr. Willy Muller invented the first automatic answering machine. It was amazingly huge in size, as it was three feet tall. Answering machines were very popular with Jewish people who were not allowed to answer the phone on the Sabbath. Ansafone was the first answering machine that was sold in the United States. Dr. Kazuo Hashimoto created this machine for Phonteel, thereby making the Japanese the first to market the answering machine. Casio then followed, to create the first commercially viable answering machine in 1971. They created the Telephone Answering Device, which was then known as ‘model 400’. You can get several funny answering machine messages from the Internet. Some of the funny messages on answering machines are:

Message related to money: Hi. This is Abraham. In case you are the telephone company, I’ve already sent you the money. If you happen to be my parents, please send me some money urgently. If you are my financial aid institution, you didn’t lend me enough money. In case you are any one of my friends, you owe me money. But you are a female, do not worry, I am a rich guy who has plenty of money to spend on you.

Message related to a family fight: Hi, this is the Clinton residence. We are in the middle of a family fight right now. Kindly leave your name and telephone number at the beep and whoever wins will certainly call you back. Internet Answering Machines: Internet answering machines are easy to install and provide an alternative to a second phone line. Try to get an Internet connection, instead of adding an additional telephone line for the computer. It enables you to surf the Internet on your single phone line, without about missing important calls. Internet answering machines allow you to hear the person on the line while surfing the net.