Boing Boing: Anti-pest device charges unwelcome visitors ten cents to ring doorbell

Thursday, April 13, 2006

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.

A 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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posted by Mark Frauenfelder at 11:43:37 AM permalink | Other blogs' comments

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