I know I’m dating myself, but I remember the days before voicemail. Heck, I remember the days before answering machines and call-waiting—when the only three options for the outcome of a call were that it either was answered, rang indefinitely, or blared that annoying busy signal.

Answering machines were a step in the right direction. At least if the party you were trying to reach was currently unavailable you could at least leave a message to let them know you’d called, explain why you’d called, and ask them to give you a call back at their convenience if there was more to talk about.