The Answering Machine

An answering machine records messages from people who call when you cannot answer the phone. The caller hears a greeting and then leaves a message. You can listen to the message later when you get home.

How Answering Machines Were Invented

The first answering machines were made in the 1930s, but they were very big and expensive. Only businesses could afford them. In the 1970s and 1980s, small, affordable answering machines became available for homes.

Before answering machines, if nobody picked up the phone, the caller just had to try again later. Answering machines made sure you never missed an important message.

From Tape to Voicemail

Early answering machines used tiny cassette tapes to record messages. You would come home, see a blinking light, and press play to hear your messages. Recording a fun greeting message was something many families enjoyed.

Today, most answering machines have been replaced by voicemail. Voicemail works the same way but stores messages on a computer instead of a tape. You can check your voicemail from anywhere using your phone.

Fun Facts

• The first commercial answering machine was made in 1949 and was as big as a piece of furniture.
• In the 1980s, having a funny answering machine greeting was a popular trend.
• The blinking red light on an answering machine became a famous symbol of missed calls.

Did You Know?

Before answering machines, telephone operators sometimes took messages for people by hand and delivered them later.