The Prank of Alan McMasters: A Study of Misinformation

Introduction

• In 2012, two UK students create a harmless prank about a fictional inventor, Alan McMasters, of the electric toaster.
• The prank escalates into one of the biggest internet lies, influencing various media outlets and institutions.

The Origin of the Lie

• Adam, a 15-year-old in 2022, finds a manipulated photo of Alan McMasters on Wikipedia.
• He posts about the photo being fake on Reddit, triggering a widespread debate.
• Investigation reveals McMasters is fictional; no such inventor existed.

Creation of Alan McMasters

• Alan McMasters (the student) and his friend Alex decide to create the article on Wikipedia as a joke.
• They fabricate details about McMasters, including ridiculous claims about his inventions.
• A fabricated photo is uploaded, heavily edited to appear authentic, yet it deceives Wikipedia editors.

Impact of the Hoax

• The story spreads to various media outlets, including the BBC and Washington Times.
• Schools, museums, and even a cooking show reference McMasters as the toaster inventor.
• A primary school in Scotland honors him with a Memorial Day.
• In 2018, he is nominated for the Bank of England's £50 note.

Detection and Correction

• In July 2022, Adam detects the hoax within 24 hours of his Reddit post.
• Wikipedia article on Alan McMasters is proposed for deletion, and the article is corrected.

The Importance of Misinformation Awareness

• The case exemplifies circular reporting: incorrect information edits Wikipedia, which is cited by journalists, perpetuating the lie.
• Wikipedia remains a generally reliable source, but this incident highlights the need for careful verification of online information.
• The true inventor of the toaster is Frank Shayer in 1909, corrected after the hoax's unraveling.

Conclusion

• The Alan McMasters case serves as a reminder of the potential for misinformation to proliferate online and the importance of double-checking sources.