Techmeme Ride Home (BNS) The Answering Machine - With Toni Trucks!
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Nov 28, 2024 
Toni Trucks, an actress known for her roles in "The Twilight Saga" and "Seal Team," shares fascinating insights into the tech of the 80s and 90s. She reminisces about the cultural impact of answering machines and the joy of creative outgoing messages. The discussion highlights the evolution of household telephones and how AT&T's breakup changed the game. Toni also reflects on the thrill of having a dedicated "teen line" and the intriguing practice of 'phone freaking,' revealing how these technologies shaped personal communication and connectivity.
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Automated Outgoing Message
- Toni Trucks's dad used the default automated outgoing message for their answering machine.
- She tried to convince him to record something funny, but he preferred a straightforward approach.
Answering Machine as Family Hub
- Families used answering machines as a central communication hub.
- People would check messages upon returning home to catch up on missed calls and updates.
Cassette Tape Answering Machines
- Early answering machines used cassette tapes to record messages.
- Users had to rewind and fast forward to access specific messages, which would eventually lead to the tapes getting filled up.