Let’s be real—fax machines feel like relics from a time when phones had cords and floppy disks were the height of tech. But surprisingly, these beeping, screeching beasts are still around. They’re mainly used in industries like healthcare, law, and government where security and paper trails matter.
Faxing Beyond the Norm
Faxing Food – Yep, That Happened
Some people just can’t resist pushing the limits of technology in the most absurd ways. Take the story of a man from Texas who actually tried to fax a slice of pizza to his friend across town. He carefully flattened the greasy slice between two plastic sheets and hit the Send button, thinking it might somehow work. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. Instead of a tasty pizza image, the recipient got a messy, greasy blotch of unrecognizable goo smeared all over the fax paper. The sauce mixed with the printer rollers, creating a total disaster — definitely not the kind of “delivery” anyone hoped for.
This incident perfectly illustrates how people’s curiosity and humor sometimes lead to downright ridiculous experiments. While it might seem funny to try to send food through a machine designed for paper documents, faxing actual food is a recipe for technical chaos. Beyond ruining the fax machine, it wastes toner and time—and possibly a slice of delicious pizza. So, lesson learned: pizza belongs in your stomach, not on the fax tray.
Pets on the Fax Machine? Say What
There’s a popular Reddit thread where someone revealed that they once tried to fax a photo of their hamster — by placing the actual hamster on the fax machine glass! Of course, this wasn’t a planned experiment but a spontaneous, silly idea. Thankfully, the little hamster was unharmed but definitely confused by the strange flashing light and buzzing noise. One can only imagine the poor pet thinking, “Not this again, Steve.” The resulting fax was a blurry, partial image of the hamster’s paws and fur, which amused everyone who saw it online.
While the story is funny, it also highlights a big no-no: fax machines are definitely not pet-friendly devices. They’re made for scanning flat paper, not furry living creatures. So, as tempting as it might be to “fax your pet” for laughs, it’s best to keep animals far away from these machines to avoid stress or injury.
Faxing Money – Not Exactly Legal Tender
Believe it or not, someone actually tried to fax a $100 bill to their landlord once. The idea was likely to prove payment or maybe just to be funny, but the execution was, well, misguided. The faxed copy was a pixelated, black-and-white shadow of the bill that looked nothing like real money. Needless to say, the landlord didn’t accept it as payment, and the sender was probably left scrambling to find a real way to pay rent.
This bizarre attempt brings up an important reminder: fax machines only transmit images, not actual currency or funds. Sending a fax of money is not only pointless but could also be viewed as suspicious or fraudulent in some cases. So, while faxing a bill for documentation might be fine, faxing the bill itself won’t pay your rent—or anything else for that matter.
Real-Life Fax Fails and Bizarre Attempts
Fax machines have been around for decades, yet people keep coming up with the most ridiculous and hilarious ways to misuse them. These real-life fax fails aren’t just funny stories; they also remind us how limited fax technology really is and how creative (or reckless) humans can get when bored or mischievous. Let’s dive into some of the most bizarre and unforgettable fax attempts that have become office legends.
The Cheeseburger Incident
There’s a legendary tale floating around office circles about someone who tried to fax an actual McDonald’s cheeseburger. The story goes that the sender claimed it was an “urgent lunch order” for a coworker located in a different city. Thinking the fax machine could somehow transmit the sandwich, they placed the wrapped cheeseburger directly onto the fax bed and pressed send. Spoiler alert: it was a disaster. Instead of a neat lunch arriving at the other end, what came out was a soggy, unrecognizable mess of ketchup, melted cheese, and bun fragments smeared all over the fax paper and rollers.
This ridiculous prank didn’t just fail to deliver lunch — it clogged the machine and created a big mess that required cleaning and repairs. Here’s what happened:
- The ketchup and grease mixed with the fax rollers, causing jams.
- The paper came out stained and unusable.
- The machine temporarily broke down, delaying other important faxes.
- The coworker never got their “urgent” cheeseburger.
This infamous incident serves as a classic example of how fax machines are strictly designed for flat, dry paper documents — not fast food. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the simplest technology rules exist for a reason.
The Cat That Almost Got Faxed
In one particularly funny office mishap, a curious cat decided to take an interest in the fax machine just as someone hit the Scan & Send button. Instead of a normal document, the fax ended up capturing the cat’s paws and tail pressed against the scanner glass. The resulting image was an adorable, slightly panicked snapshot of feline limbs that went viral around the office within minutes, bringing a much-needed dose of laughter to an otherwise boring workday.
This unexpected moment perfectly illustrates how animals and technology don’t always mix — but sometimes, the results are priceless. Here’s what made this incident so memorable:
- The cat jumped on the fax machine at the exact moment of scanning.
- The machine scanned parts of the cat’s paws and tail instead of the document.
- The image was shared repeatedly, becoming an office meme.
- Everyone agreed it was the cutest fax fail ever.
Though harmless and funny, this story reminds us to be mindful of pets around office equipment — not just to avoid interruptions, but also to keep our furry friends safe.
The Hair Fax Prank
One particularly creepy and unforgettable prank involved someone taping a chunk of their own hair to a fax sheet and sending it to a coworker along with the note, “You’ll never guess whose this is.” The recipient of this bizarre message was reportedly so disturbed that they eventually moved to another department. While some found the stunt hilarious, others thought it crossed the line and created an uncomfortable atmosphere at work.
Here’s what made this prank stand out:
- A lock of hair was physically attached to the faxed paper.
- A mysterious note was included to stir curiosity and unease.
- The recipient felt creeped out enough to request a transfer.
- It sparked conversations about office boundaries and professionalism.
This incident highlights how fax machines have sometimes been used not just for business, but for strange and unsettling office antics. It’s a cautionary tale reminding us to keep pranks fun but respectful.
Faxing in the Workplace: From Funny to Fired
Office Pranks Gone Wrong
Office environments are fertile ground for all sorts of pranks, and the fax machine has often been the unsuspecting target of these antics. From mysterious “ghost” messages mysteriously appearing in fax trays to coworkers swapping out toner cartridges with glitter-filled replacements, the fax machine has endured its fair share of harmless fun — and occasionally, not-so-harmless chaos. These pranks can spark laughter and camaraderie, but they also remind us that the fax machine is still a tool with a digital footprint, meaning whatever you send or manipulate can leave a record that might come back to haunt you.
Despite the humor, these pranks sometimes escalate beyond the lighthearted realm. A glitter toner prank might jam the machine and cost the company valuable time and money for repairs. And “ghost” faxes—random papers with cryptic or creepy messages—can create unease and disrupt office flow. The takeaway here is simple: while pranksters may enjoy a laugh, it’s essential to remember that faxed content can be traced, and not every joke is worth the risk of workplace tension or disciplinary action.
| Type of Prank | Description | Possible Consequences | Office Reaction |
| Ghost Messages | Mysterious pages showing up in trays | Confusion, distraction | Unease, searching for culprits |
| Glitter Toner Swaps | Replacing toner with glitter | Machine damage, cleaning costs | Frustration, disciplinary talks |
| Fake Urgent Memos | Sending absurd or fake urgent faxes | Wasted time, decreased productivity | Annoyance, loss of trust |
HR Nightmares Involving the Fax Machine
Human Resources departments sometimes have their own tales of fax-related horror. Imagine getting an anonymous fax complaint filled with nothing but cryptic messages, threatening notes, or even creepy photos — often sent at odd hours like 3 a.m., when no one is around to investigate immediately. These faxes add a retro twist to modern office drama, turning an old-fashioned device into a channel for mystery and tension.
The fax machine, while seemingly outdated, can sometimes become a tool of workplace conflict or harassment. The anonymity and ease of sending faxes allow disgruntled employees or pranksters to stir the pot without revealing their identity. Such incidents cause HR headaches, as they must decipher the messages and handle the situation delicately to maintain a professional environment. It’s a reminder that even technology considered obsolete can still play a role in modern office dynamics—and sometimes in the worst possible way.
| HR Fax Nightmare | Nature of Content | Impact on Workplace | HR Response |
| Anonymous Complaints | Vague or threatening messages | Unease, mistrust among employees | Investigation, counseling |
| Creepy or Inappropriate Photos | Unsolicited images | Discomfort, potential harassment claims | Formal warnings, policy reviews |
| Late-Night Faxing | Messages sent outside work hours | Delayed responses, increased stress | Increased monitoring, security |
The Psychology Behind the Madness
Why Do People Try to Fax the Weirdest Things
There’s something fascinating about the urge to push boundaries, especially when it comes to outdated or niche technology like fax machines. The motivation behind trying to fax the weirdest things is a mix of curiosity, rebellion, and the desire to experiment — much like sending a message in a bottle but with toner and paper involved. People want to see if the impossible is possible, testing limits just for the thrill or the story they’ll get to tell afterward.
In many cases, these bizarre fax attempts stem from a natural human tendency to play with tools in unexpected ways. The fax machine, often seen as a relic of the past, suddenly becomes a playground for creative mischief. It’s an outlet where the combination of low risk and a potential laugh encourages people to try the strangest ideas. Whether it’s food, pets, or pranks, the madness reflects a deeper desire to disrupt routine and find joy in the absurd.
Is It Just Humor or a Cry for Attention
While it might be tempting to psychoanalyze every fax prank or bizarre send-off, sometimes the simplest explanation is just good old-fashioned humor. For many, these antics are creative outlets — a way to break the monotony of daily office life or spark some laughter among colleagues. Fax machines, being relics of a bygone era, offer a unique and playful medium that amplifies the ridiculousness of the act.
However, there are occasions when these fax attempts may also be a subtle cry for attention or help. Boredom mixed with frustration can lead employees to test boundaries in hopes of being noticed. It’s important not to dismiss these actions outright but to consider the context and respond with a balance of humor and understanding. After all, behind every “weird fax” might be a person simply seeking connection in an otherwise mundane environment.