Anti-pest device charges unwelcome visitors ten cents to ring doorbell
This "anti-pest doorbell" from a 1934 issue of Modern Mechanix reminds me of some of the silly anti-spam email proposals.LinkA dime must be inserted in the slot of this unit before the push button can be made to operate the bell. If the visitor is unwelcome, he or she loses the dime, but if a friend calls the housewife returns the dime after opening the door.
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Mark Frauenfelder
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