Who invented the electric toaster?

Cornersteady
Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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edited November 2022 in General Chat #1

I'm sure if I asked this question just a short time ago many like me would have answered Alan MacMasters in 1893 or would have searched the internet. Indeed even the Bank of England had him shortlisted for one of their banknotes.

But it's all been a hoax! Alan MacMasters is still alive and aged only 30. apparently in 2012 the real Alan MacMasters as a joke made a Wiki entry and it was never discovered till just recently started by a Kent schoolboy. I just love this!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/the-reporters-63622746

Inventor who never was


Until recently, if you had searched for "Alan MacMasters" on Wikipedia, you would have found the same article that Adam did.


And who would have doubted it?
After all, like most Wikipedia articles, this one was peppered with references: news articles, books and websites that supposedly provided evidence of MacMasters' life and legacy. As a result, lots of people accepted that MacMasters had been real.


More than a dozen books, published in various languages, named him as the inventor of the toaster. And, until recently, even the Scottish government's Brand Scotland website listed the electric toaster as an example of the nation's "innovative and inventive spirit".

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #2

    I was reading that earlier, Corners. It proves the old saying about not believing all you read online. I find Wiki very useful but always keep an open mind.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,030 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #3

    Very interesting little article Corners😁 I am pleased they included the bit at the bottom about the first (allegedly🤣) electric toaster! 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #4

    Yes an amazing story. I'm just writing one for Wiki about Cornelius T Eady who in 1921 invented the cornersteady.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,030 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #5

    What made me laugh was the bored lad in his lessons uncovering the secret🤣 Never underestimate a child on a mission! It might not be the mission you are teaching…..but…..🤣

    Reminds me of my Music lessons at school. I was utterly useless and uninterested in Music, but I was damn good at all sorts of Sports. So I went into our (next to sports field Music room), exited by the window, and did an extra PE lesson🤣 My mission was to become a PE teacher👍😁

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited November 2022 #6

    I read the article with interest, Corners. Just goes to show how much "fake news" is out there and is taken as fact.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited November 2022 #7

    Blimey, are you really One Hundred + years old  matey  surprised  ?? 

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