12/29/2022 | 2 min read

the GREATEST landline telephone ever made.

When you think of the most popular phones in the world, which one’s come to mind? Maybe the iPhone? The Blackberry perhaps? Possibly even the Motorola Razr?

Nah - we’ve got one even better.

Allow me to introduce you to…

The Taz Talking Animated Landline Telephone, or as we like to call it, the "Taz Phone." This novelty telephone was the bane of many a parent's existence in the 1990s, but we loved it all the same.

what was this incredible piece of communication???

The Taz Talking Animated Landline Telephone, also known as the "Taz Phone," was a novelty telephone that was popular in the 1990s. It was manufactured by the company Telemania, which was based in Los Angeles, California.

Upon its release in 1996, the Taz Phone quickly became the must-have item for any self-respecting Looney Tunes fan. It was sold in stores like Spencer's Gifts and Gadgets and Gifts, and could be found in living rooms across the country. The Taz Phone was also featured in several movies and TV shows, further increasing its popularity.

The Taz Phone was designed to look like the character Taz from the Looney Tunes cartoons. It featured a rotary dial and a receiver that looked like Taz's head. When the phone rang, Taz's eyes would light up and he would make a variety of noises, including growling, spinning, and making farting noises with his mouth.

how much did it retail for in the 90s?

The Taz Phone was initially sold for a mere $70, which, in today's dollars, is about the same gallon of gas from the gas station. But as the Taz Phone's popularity grew, so did its price. Soon, people were willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a Taz Phone on the secondary market. It was like the Taz Phone was the Beanie Baby of the 1990s, except instead of being cute and cuddly, it was a snarling, spinning telephone that terrified small children.

And so, the Taz Phone became a cultural phenomenon, loved by Looney Tunes fans and hated by their parents. It may no longer be in production, but it lives on in the hearts and minds of those who were lucky enough to own one. Long live the Taz Phone!

how much is it worth today?

Not that much…

Asking prices on the Taz phone are between $20 - $100, with the majority of listings selling for $25 plus shipping. Of course, if the listing includes the original box, the price jumps to $40.

This item is much more of a nostalgic memory than a valuable collector’s item, but we love it either way.

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