Alibicord
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Alibicord is the name of the first answering machine approved by the Deutsche Bundespost in Germany . The device was manufactured from 1958 by the Alois Zettler Elektrotechnische Fabrik GmbH in Munich. It could be used both as a mere announcement device and as an answering machine with call recording of up to 30 seconds per call. Announcements and incoming messages were recorded by means of a roller coated with magnetic foil.
In later versions of the Alibicord, special magnetic tape cassettes were used instead of the roller, which were easily exchangeable and could also record longer messages. Because of the high acquisition costs (over 3000 DM towards the end of the 1970s), these robust devices were rarely found in private households.