TRIVIA TODAY - Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Greetings Infomaniacs,

It's amazing how far technology has come since the days of coin operated pay phones. Although pay phones are still in existence, it seems that most people rely on their cell phones for just about everything these days!

I currently do not have an Android or an iPhone, but from my brief experience playing with friends' phones, it seems as though the world is literally at your fingertips. It's so cool how many different apps there are available for subscribers.

Now, our very own Deal of the Day has joined the world of cell phone apps. If you are not subscribed to our free Deal of the Day newsletter you are missing out on some big savings - everyday a new item is featured at discounts of 50, 70, 80 and even 90 percent.

With the Deal of the Day apps for your Android or iPhone, you'll start receiving deals right on your cell phone! Download the app now for free by clicking on the link below for your phone:

Click for: Droid Daily Deal App

Click for: iPhone Daily Deal App

Now, since we're on the topic of phones, why not go back in time and learn about the history of the pay phone?

Enjoy!
Melissa

Questions? Comments? Email Melissa

TODAY'S MYSTERY QUOTE
QUOTE: "The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

HINT: (1826-1913), English writer, hostess, horticulturist and plant collector.

RANDOM TIDBITS
In 1889, the first public coin telephone was installed by inventor William Gray at a bank in Hartford, Conn. It was a "postpay" machine (coins were deposited after the call was placed). Gray's previous claim to fame was inventing the inflatable chest protector for baseball.

In 1898, the Western Electric No. 5 Coin Collector, the first automatic "prepay" station, went into use in Chicago.
The depositing of coins before placing a call would gradually become the norm in pay phones until the introduction of "dial tone first" service in 1966.

In 1905, the first outdoor Bell System coin telephone was installed on a Cincinnati street. At first, people were reluctant about using it to make private calls in a public area.

In 1964, when the U.S. Treasury Department decided to change the metallic composition of U.S. coins, it consulted with Bell Laboratories to ensure the new coins would still function properly in pay phones.

"Dial tone first" service was introduced in 1966 in Hartford, Conn. This essentially turned coin phones into emergency call stations because such calls could be made without first depositing coins.

In 1977, "automatic coin telephone service" was introduced in Phoenix, Ariz. This allowed most pay telephone calls, including long-distance, to be made without operator assistance. A computer-controlled synthesized voice gave customers the necessary instructions.

(Facts from www.porticus.org/bell/bell.htm)

VIDEO CLIP
Sesame Street - Telephone Rock
This classic Sesame Street clip of Telephone Rock was performed by Little Jerry and the Monotones. Jerry starts this song by getting into a telephone booth and starts singing to the operator.

Watch It Now: Sesame Street - Telephone Rock


*** Weekly Mind-Scrambler ***
Two sisters are we, one dark and one fair.
In twin towers dwelling, we're quite the pair.
One from the land and one from the sea.
Tell us truly, who are we?

Submit your answer by visiting: HERE

Answer will be posted in Friday's Trivia Today. Good Luck!

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TODAY'S MYSTERY QUOTE
QUOTE: "The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

ANSWER: Dorothy Nevill.

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