Well faithful readers.... Sometimes I post a blurb about some new thing that I've learned during the day. But today I'm doing something a little different. I'm issuing a challenge to you all!
Matt, Dave and I were discussing something the other day and the topic of Watts lines came up. Being the youngin that I am, I've only heard of Watts lines in passing... so I wanted to know more about them. Namely, why are they called Watts lines? So I turned to Google... but I could not find the information I was looking for!
So! I want you to tell me why it's called a Watts line. Your prize? Fame. And the chance to say "nya nya nya, I'm smarter than Aaron!" :-P
I have no idea. Here's what Google has to say:
Wide Area Telecom/Telephone Service (WATTS): A fixed-rate long-distance service that includes both Intra-LATA (Local Area and Transport Area) and Inter-LATA incoming and outgoing calls.
Am I warm?
...
We were not a secret operation. We hired a personable bum to carry a sandwich board about the Village announcing our activities for beer and sandwiches ( which apparently was not reportable to the authorities). Indeed, at that time US business had just begun to grasp the potential of WATTS-line (wide area toll-free telephone service) telemarketing campaigns. In due course it seemed every office-supply company in North America learned of our activities.
...
http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:d9H3VDUlvo8J:freedom.orlingrabbe.com/lfetimes/chocolate_bomb2.htm+%22WATTS+line%22+acronym&hl=en
Charlie and Jake -- I think you're both spot on! Great job! :-)
spot on? Are you being British? If you are, it's hot!