It’s official - a ‘tin can telephone’ call made during last year’s Sidmouth Science Festival has set a new world record.

The Guinness Book of World Records has certified that it was the longest-distance call ever made using this kind of device – which consisted of two yoghurt pots and 374 metres of wire.

The successful device was created by physicist John Hems, and the record-breaking call was made from the lookout point at Connaught Gardens to Bedford Steps on the Esplanade. Colleague Dr George Littlejohn of Plymouth University, stationed at the Connaught Gardens end, spoke the words “This is Sidmouth Science Festival world record tin can telephone" and John, acting as receiver, heard them clearly at Bedford Steps.

Sidmouth Herald:

John told the Herald: "In fact, first I'd said over the phone 'OK George, you can send the message now', so we had a bit of a conversation."

The new record was ratified by Guinness shortly afterwards, and the official certificate has now arrived. The Sidmouth Science Festival team have beaten the previous record, set in Japan three years previously, by well over 100 metres.

John had spent a lot of time experimenting in his kitchen to find the best materials for his phone, but he said the actual call had involved a large group: "It was a huge effort, not just by members of the Science Festival, but the public were engaged as well, and I did think it captured the imagination of people around town, which was brilliant."

Sidmouth Herald:

Having set a new record for a single phone line, John is now thinking bigger. "I'm thinking of trying to join up tin can telephones to make a really big network so that lots of people can talk to each other at the same time, and I'm going to try to explore that at this year's Science Festival.

"It's all been great fun, and thanks to the people of Sidmouth and all the visitors who took part."

 

Sidmouth Herald:

John’s calculations can be found on the Sidmouth Science Festival website.

This year’s festival will take place from Friday, October 6 until Sunday 15. Anyone who would like to join the team in any capacity, large or small, can contact the team at info@sidmouthscience festival.com – there is a need for people to help with admin and IT as well as the scientific activities.