The Weirdest Hoax on the Internet

Summary

In 2012, two UK students fabricated a fake story about Alan McMasters, claiming he invented the electric toaster. The prank spiraled out of control, with the story gaining traction on Wikipedia, news outlets, and even schools. Despite the absurdity of the claim, McMasters was credited as the inventor of the toaster for nearly a decade, even making it to the Bank of England's nomination for a 50-pound note. The hoax only unraveled in 2022, revealing the fabricated history. This incident highlights the dangers of misinformation and the importance of verifying online content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Two UK students in 2012 created a harmless prank about the inventor of the electric toaster, which quickly went viral online.
• 😀 The lie about Alan McMasters being the inventor of the toaster escalated over the years, with schools, museums, and media outlets spreading it.
• 😀 The photo of Alan McMasters was manipulated to look old, but no one questioned its authenticity, leading to a widespread belief in the fake story.
• 😀 The two students, Alex and Alan, intentionally created a fake Wikipedia article about McMasters, claiming absurd details such as his invention being linked to a deadly fire.
• 😀 Despite the obvious fabrication of the photo and details, the Wikipedia article remained unchallenged for years, gaining credibility through circular reporting.
• 😀 McMasters was credited as the inventor of the toaster by various media outlets, including the BBC and Washington Times, and even a Scottish primary school.
• 😀 The fake story spread so far that Alan McMasters' face was nominated for the Bank of England's 50-pound note in 2018.
• 😀 In 2022, a Reddit user, Adam, uncovered the manipulated photo and triggered a reevaluation of the McMasters article on Wikipedia, leading to its deletion.
• 😀 The hoax teaches the importance of verifying online information, especially from sources like Wikipedia, where circular reporting can perpetuate misinformation.
• 😀 After the hoax was discovered, the two students, despite their prank, became part-time Wikipedia editors to contribute positively to the platform's mission.

Q & A

What was the original prank that started the Alan McMasters toaster hoax?

The prank involved two university students from the UK, Alex and Alan, who edited the Wikipedia page for the inventor of the toaster, falsely claiming Alan McMasters was the inventor. They uploaded a manipulated photo and created a fabricated story about him.

How did the hoax about Alan McMasters spread across the internet?

The hoax spread when users on various forums, including Reddit and Wikipediocracy, discussed the fake photo of Alan McMasters. The article gained more credibility as more people cited it, and even media outlets like the BBC and the Washington Times picked it up.

What role did Wikipedia play in the spread of the Alan McMasters hoax?

Despite the fabricated nature of the article, Wikipedia's volunteer editors missed the inaccuracy. As a result, the hoax remained on the site for years, leading to further misinformation being spread by journalists and other sources that cited the fake article.

How did the image of Alan McMasters contribute to the hoax?

The manipulated photo of Alan McMasters, which was altered to look like a historical 19th-century photo, became a key element of the hoax. Despite obvious signs of manipulation, no one questioned its authenticity, making it seem like proof of his existence and invention.

What was the significance of the 50p note in relation to the hoax?

In 2018, the Bank of England considered Alan McMasters for inclusion on the British 50p note. This further cemented the fake inventor's status in public consciousness before the truth came to light.

How did Alan McMasters' fake story even influence educational activities?

The hoax led to students creating presentations and projects about McMasters. In one instance, a primary school in Scotland honored him with a special Memorial Day, having students write about him, paint toast slices, and even create their own toasters.

What is circular reporting, and how did it apply to the McMasters hoax?

Circular reporting occurs when incorrect information from a source, like a Wikipedia page, is cited by journalists as legitimate. This creates a loop where the misinformation is continually passed on and amplified. In the case of McMasters, journalists and websites cited the fake Wikipedia article, making the hoax even more believable.

What was the role of the 15-year-old Adam in uncovering the hoax?

In 2022, Adam, a 15-year-old, discovered the manipulated image of Alan McMasters while browsing Reddit. His curiosity led him to trace the falsehood back to its origins, ultimately triggering the deletion of the article from Wikipedia.

How did Alex and Alan feel about the success of their prank years after it started?

Despite the immense success of their prank, Alex and Alan were surprised by how far it had gone. They enjoyed watching the hoax unfold but were also amazed that it had been taken so seriously for so long.

What is the real history behind the invention of the toaster?

The true inventor of the electric toaster is Frank Shayer, an American, who developed it in 1909. This was the actual history of the toaster, which was later corrected in the Wikipedia article.