Dad Challenges Two Teenagers To Dial Rotary Phone And It's As Entertaining As You'd Assume

Jan 28, 2020 by apost team

Technology has evolved rapidly over the last few decades. While the new gadgets and devices can be quite innovative and useful, it’s funny to see how current generations look at the technologies of their forefathers like alien objects. One dad decided to catch the hilarious results on film when he challenged two teens with operating a previous generation’s ‘relic’ communication device. 

Today, phones basically boil down to the latest smart device. Statista recently found that only around 40 percent of households have a landline, which is far less than the 90 percent of 2004. 

And, surveys show that the main reason most households still have a landline is simply because it remains a necessary evil for their preferred internet services. So, much like VCRs, pay phones, and 8-tracks, landlines in general are becoming relics of the past set to soon join its rotary phone sister. 

When it comes to smartphones, the technology changes so often that last year’s device is often seen as outdated by teens these days. So, it’s no shock that most kids have no idea what a rotary phone is, much less how to operate one. 

apost.com

Kevin Bumstead of Illinois recently challenged his son, Jake, and his nephew, Kyle, to a little rotary phone game. After seeing a YouTube video of a similar challenge, he just knew his kiddos would make for some interesting entertainment. They didn’t disappoint, either. 

Bumstead gave the two kids an old rotary phone and exactly four minutes to figure out how to use it to dial a phone number. His video ended up gathering over 23 million views and over 400,000 shares. 

The teen boys appear fairly confident as they start the challenge asking, “That’s it?” The rules and task seemed simple enough, but these boys quickly found themselves working with ‘alien technology.’

They can be seen trying all sorts of hideously wrong tactics to win the challenge. They even try to get some pointers from dad by asking if they were supposed to pick the phone up before they dial. Dad tells the boys when they successfully dialed zero, which reenergizes their still failing efforts. 

In the end, their failed attempts are hilarious and sure to have those of you familiar with the old rotary on the edge of your seats cheering them on. Do they finally figure it out? 

As comments on the video suggest, these kids will never know the perks and trials of a rotary phone, including the satisfaction of slamming the receiver down during an argument and the struggles of dialing in for a radio contest. Most kids will likely never know the sound of a dial tone, says one viewer. 

If you need four minutes of entertainment, look no further than this funny rotary phone challenge video. 

Was that video just too funny? Do you know how to use a rotary phone? Have you ever tried to figure out a piece of technology from the past? Do you plan to do your own rotary phone challenge with your kids?

Tell us your thoughts and stories in the comment section, and don’t forget to share the love and give your fellowman a good laugh with this video.