3. 1
Introduction
Answering machine was invented in near 1990, however many claims suggested that it was
developed bit earlier. In the present time almost all the companies used an advanced version of
answering machine. For example when you call any companies customer services number you
will listen an answering machine guiding you. Most prevalent industry which is using it is
telecom industry.
Invention of answering machine is very old but the commercialization of it took a very long
time. First when it was used in landline phones it was only seen in the houses of developed
countries like USA and UK, and some come government offices.
Due to the advancement of technology answer machines have evolved over time. Before the
technological advancement they used magnetic strip taps for answering the calls which have a
low memory and fewer options by the introduction of AI and memory cards the answering
machines have become more functional and can be used in more places.
When we look at the point that why answering machines were not able to commercialized in the
first place when it was invented
Cost of technology was not affordable by people
Less use for common person
Company were not able to market it benefits
Market was very new for the product
Less technical support while introduction
5. 3
Any invention is done to solve a problem or to comfort the life of the people in case of
answering machine it was primarily developed to solve the problem of not able to answer of the
people . the following chart will be better to understand the development and the reason of the
development of answering machine
Stages Innovation or development
1 Just to now that any call was missed and
answering the caller that the receiver is not
available at the movement
2 Used as a converted in a home which have
multiple land line connections
3 Recording of the message of the caller into a
magnetic strip tap
4 Introduction of phones and memory card
which allowed the user to use all the facilities
in a small devise
5 call forwarding, hold ,spiting and merging of
calls is all the result of concept of answering
machine
The introduction of answering machine was done just for a small propose but the end result
today due to technological advancement has helped in the develop of this invention to such a
extent.
A&T have a majority hand in the commercialization of the product and additional innovation
was done by them only in the year 1950
Factors in the development of the answer machine
Technology
Multi propose use
Cost reduction
Compact (reduction in the size )
6. 4
Cultural impact
Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes,
meanings, hierarchies, religion, notions of time, roles, spatial relations, concepts of the universe,
and material objects and possessions acquired by a group of people in the course of generations
through individual and group striving.
When a product is introduced it has a impact on the way in which people do their work and the
way they imagine to do the work
Introduction of answering machines made it easy for the people to provide information but made
them very careless at the same time, they started taking thing for granted meaning that before the
invention people were very particular about the calls but after the invention they become lazy
and form a perception that they could listen to the call later and avoid the call at that moment.
The formation of culture is a slow process and since the development of answering machines has
taken place it has affected the mental and psycho-social mindset of the people who use phones
and lead to the emergence of lack of attention.
Taking advantage of the invention in a negative way rather than using it as a safety or a back up
product which will take place of human and provide the companies a strong AI to interact with
the grievances and after sales services which will bring a sense of caring towards customers by
the companies they stared to use it as a defense mechanism to protect companies from legal laws.
7. 5
Gender sensitive product
Hair wax was first introduced in 1990s as a male hair styling product which let the person to
maintain the same hair style for a longer period of time and don’t let hair dry easily. For more
than 10 years it remained a male dominated product but when the advantage of the product was
identified by the companies in the female cosmetic sector they tried to create a new product for
women which can give the same level of satisfaction to women customers. The companies were
not able to invent a new product but were able to brand the product into a woman oriented
product.
The branding process was in different level and various psychological methods were involved in
the process
Paying famous personality to use the product
Giving free application in the brand parlor
Distribution of free sample though retail channels
All the above following actions taken by the companies created a subconscious affect on the
mindset of the individuals who are influenced by the particular personalities. This slowly shifted
the hair wax to a woman oriented product and become one of the most used treatments in the
industry.
