The Prank of Alan McMasters: The Inventor of the Electric Toaster

Overview

• In 2012, two students from the UK create a humorous prank by claiming to be the inventor of the electric toaster.
• The lie grows unexpectedly, gaining traction across various platforms for years.
• The story exemplifies how misinformation can perpetuate and escalate online.

Origin of the Prank

• Founding Idea: While browsing Wikipedia, the students notice how easy it is to edit articles and decide to have some fun.
• Creation Date: The prank begins on February 6, 2012.
• Formation of Identity: They invent the persona of Alan McMasters, the supposed inventor of the toaster.

Escalation

• The fabricated biography of McMasters includes absurd tales such as drinking whiskey to invent the toaster and causing deadly appliance fires.
• The prank evolves to have real-world implications, such as being covered in news articles and even being referenced in schools and museums.

Media Involvement

• Major outlets like the BBC and Washington Times pick up on the fabricated story, citing it as a fact.
• Repercussions: A primary school creates projects about McMasters, and culinary shows pay tribute to him.
• McMasters was even nominated by the Bank of England for a spot on the £50 note.

Detection of the Hoax

• In July 2022, a 15-year-old named Adam discovers inconsistencies in the image of McMasters on Wikipedia and uncovers the truth.
• Within 24 hours of his findings, the Wikipedia article is proposed for deletion.

Reflection on Information Trustworthiness

• The incident raises questions about the reliability of online information and how easily misinformation can spread.
• Circular Reporting: This refers to how incorrect information can be cited as a source by different journalists, further spreading the lie.
• Despite this case, Wikipedia is largely a reliable resource, and the McMasters case serves as a rare exception.

Conclusion

• The real invention of the toaster is attributed to Frank Shayer in 1909, correcting the myth created by the students.
• The legacy of the prank highlights the importance of verifying information before accepting it as truth.

Personal Reflection

• The pranksters, while responsible for the misinformation, eventually became part-time Wikipedia editors, trying to give back by correcting mistakes.
• The event emphasizes the need for critical thinking and double-checking sources in our digital world.