EXPLODING THE PHONE

Abstract

Arrest record showing Engressia was arrested 6/2/71 for "posession of electronic equipment to bypass lawful charges for long distance telephone service -- obtaining phone service by fraud". Trial was continued to 6/8/71. Engressia was fined $10 and given 30 days suspended sentence, 6/8/71.

Keywords

Josef Carl Engressia; Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Source

Shelby County Sheriff's Office

Abstract

Enrollment certification for Joe Engressia at USF. He was enrolled from 9/30/1968 to 3/19/1971 and did not graduate. He is listed as a "Senior" in "good academic standing".

Keywords

Josef Carl Engressia; Josef Engressia; Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Notes / See Also

His SSN is on the enrollment certification differs by one digit than the one on his death certificate.

Abstract

1978 presentation by Joe Engressia to a "Billy Eve" audience talking about his life, followed by a Stories and Stuff episode.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles; Billy Eve; Kenneth Chrane

Notes / See Also

This was one of three tapes provided by Kenneth Chrane. I think the stories and stuff bit was apparended by Chrane, and there is some Chrane commentary at the start and end of the tape. Chrane claims the talk is from February 19, 1978, though I don't know why he claims that. Also referred to as JB5 in my notes.

Source

Kenneth Chrane

Abstract

Transcript of radio interview with Joe Engressia. Engressia says it's about engineering and exploring design trade offs. Babe Howard of Millington says that Engressia should be in a lab inventing equipment. Mentions his arrest and suspended sentence.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Millington; Babe Howard

Abstract

Audio recording of a speech given by Joe Engressia in 1974 before an unknown community group.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; speech

Notes / See Also

Obtained with the permission of Steven Gibb, Executor of Joybubbles' estate

Source

Steven Gibb

Abstract

FBI file 139-HQ-3481 on Joseph Carl Engressia, Jr. and two redacted suspects, concerning his alleged ability to intercept government communications.

Keywords

Joseph Carl Engressia, Jr.; Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Notes / See Also

This is the David Price version which has a few more pages than the original version (db370). See also: db370, db587. Corresponding field office files are 65-MM-3225 (Miami, FL); 100-KC-13546 (Kansas City, MO), 139-HQ-3482, and 139-CG-205 (Chicago, IL) See also: db370, db587

Source

FBI via FOIA

Abstract

FBI file 139-HQ-3481 on Joseph Carl Engressia, Jr. and two redacted suspects, concerning his alleged ability to intercept government communications. Corresponding field office files are 65-MM-3225 (Miami, FL); 100-KC-13546 (Kansas City, MO), 139-HQ-3482, and 139-CG-205 (Chicago, IL)

Keywords

Joseph Carl Engressia, Jr.; Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Source

FBI via FOIA

Abstract

"University of South Florida officials said yesterday they will decide today if blind student Joe Engressia will be dismissed for allegedly defrauding telephone companies. [...]"

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"University of South Florida officials yesterday postponed the public hearing for Joe 'The Whistler' Engressia to Tuesday. It was to be Monday. [...]"

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"A 19-year-old blind student caused some crossed circuits at the University of South Florida recently..."

Keywords

Josef Carl Engressia; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

Good quotes, including from Esther Engressia and from a telco spokesman

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

Overview of phone freaking circa December 1971 focused on Joe Engressia. describes Engressia's history with phone freaking and his life in Millington TN. Discusses his conviction for theft of services in Memphis, TN, his publicity at the University of South Florida, and his relationship with the Bell System.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Millington, TN; FBI; phone phreak; AT&T; Memphis, TN; University of South Florida (USF); blue box; credit card fraud; tandem stacking; Captain Crunch

Notes / See Also

Article contains some good quotes including one about Captain Crunch and tandem stacking and wastes of circuits. Publication date is estimated.

Abstract

"The case of Josef Carl Engressia Jr., the young blind man who carried direct distance dialing beyond anything the telephone company ever imagined, has come to what we hope will be a happy ending. [...]"

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

Op-ed piece from another newspaper, the Memphis Commercial Appeal

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

FBI file 139-HQ-3481 regarding investigation of Engressia, Way, and two other individuals for phreaking.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles; Tandy Way

Source

FBI via FOIA

Abstract

Article describing Joe Engressia's 1968 troubles with the phone company and USF.

Keywords

Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

Written around 1970 or so as it describes Engressia as 20 years old and that the USF whistling incident was "two years ago." Dateline Miami. We do not know what newspaper this appeared in.

Abstract

Joe Engressia has found work at Millington telephone. Discusses Engressia's youth and his arrest in 1971, South Central Bell, and Ray Churchill.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Babe Howard; Ray Churchill

Notes / See Also

May be duplicate of db194.

Abstract

"Blind student Joe Engressia yesterday was placed on disciplinary probation and fined $25 by University of South Florida officials for using a whistling technique to make free long distance telephone calls." [...]

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"Blind student Joe Engressia, who whistled his way through long distance telephone circuits with perfect pitch and placed free calls across the nation, will be permitted to remain in school." [...]

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

Engressia offered job by Millington, 3M, and "several other" job offers.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles; Millington; 3M

Abstract

"Josef Carl Engressia Jr., who became interested in telephones because of his blindness and says he learned to call around the world without being billed for it, starts his first job Monday -- with a telephone company." [...]

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; W.S. Howard; Millington Telephone

Notes / See Also

Lengthy article, lots of quotes

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"A blind man who was accused of defrauding the telephone company by whistling into the phone and using electronic equipment to make long-distance calls free was fined $10 Tuesday. [...]"

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"A 23-year-old blind man described by a phone company executive as being nearly 'a genius in telephone technology' yesterday was placed under $1 bond on charges he made long distance calls by whistling into his telephone." Mentions that he has a math degree from USF

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"A blind Florida youth, in the headlines in 1968 because of his ability to whistle and get telephone computers to place free worldwide calls for him, was arrested Wednesday night." [...] Includes quote about being addicted to the phone, lonliness, and background leading up to arrest

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; Joe Engressia; Memphis, TN

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"Blind college student Joe Engressia whistled his way past long distance circuits and placed free calls across the nation ..."

Keywords

Josef C. Engressia; H. E. Mason (General Telephone spokesman)

Notes / See Also

Good quotes.

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

FBI Kansas City Field Office file corresponding to 139-HQ-3481. Includes 1971 addendum regarding "Twilight Electronics" in St. Louis, MO.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles; FBI; Kansas City; Twilight Electronics

Notes / See Also

See also: db370

Source

FBI via FOIA

Abstract

Engressia to start work next week at Millington Telephone.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Millington Telephone

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Blind college student, Joe Engressia, who whistled his way to free calls, may be disconnected from the University of South Florida.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; University of South Florida

Source

Newspaper Archive

Abstract

Joe Engressia, a blind student at the University of South Florida, is temporarily suspended for whistling his way to free calls. The FBI ruled, however, that no federal statute had been violated.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Harold L. Hawkins; General Telephone Co.

Source

Newspaper Archive

Abstract

Overview article on phone phreaking emphasizing increase in activity and arrests. Includes quotes from Joe Engressia and Nick Clainos.

Keywords

Phone Phreaking; Joe Engressia; Nick Clainos

Source

Newspaper Archive

Abstract

Joe Engressia allowed to remain in school after suspension from University of South Florida and ordered to pay $25 to a worthy cause.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Blue Box

Source

Newspaper Archive

Abstract

Correspondence regarding written complaint to the FBI Kansas City office that the telephone company had illegally tapped his or Joe Engressia's telephone line.

Keywords

Joybubbles; Joe Engressia; wiretapping; FBI; 139-HQ-3481

Source

FBI via FOIA

Abstract

Letter in response to LAT article 1971-10-31, "For Whom Ma Bell Tolls Not" Author corrects Joe Engressia's college - University of South Florida, not South Florida College (both in Tampa).

Keywords

letter to the editor; University of South Florida; Tampa, FL

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Audio CD of 59-minute NPR program produced by Jim Russell on phone phreaks. Contains lengthy interviews with Joe Engressia and Al Gilbertson.

Keywords

NPR; Joe Engressia; Al Gilbertson; Al Bell

Notes / See Also

Aired around January 30, 1973. Copy obtained from tconnors@umd.edu. (UMD now maintains the NPR archives formerly maintained by the National Archives.) See db659 for transcript. Jim Russell, in a 11/16/2007 email, says that he was "certain" that it ran on the NPR program "Options", which was "It was a daily 1 hour documentary or information program. It ran whenever stations wanted it, usually early evening. It was produced by all manner of staff, hosted by whoever produced it, and sort of a weak, meandering series ... which finally meandered right of the network." In a separate email he notes, "It was 59 minutes long, it was a documentary about phone phreaks, andAT&T tried to stop its distribution by threatening stations all over the country, which is why you find a transcript in their files." For a transcript see db659. See also: db659

Source

National Archives, University of Maryland, and NPR

Abstract

Overview article on phone phreaking. discusses black and blue boxes, Joe Engressia, YIPL, TAP, and toll fraud detection equipment.

Keywords

black box; blue box; Joe Engressia; YIPL; TAP; Hekimian Laboratories Model 51; Dennis Mollura; Robert Kitzirger

Source

Alan Rubinstein

Abstract

Description of Joe Engressia and University of South Florida psychology Professor Harold Hawkins' investigations of his abilities.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Harold Hawkins (Professor, University of South Florida); University of South Florida

Notes / See Also

Date unknown but after Joe's troubles with the police at USF. Article mentioned Joe as 20 years old, so date estimated as 1969-1970 from that.

Source

Alan Rubinstein

Abstract

Overview of phone phreaking. Discusses Captain Crunch and his arrest. Interviews Bill Moorefield, Joe Engressia, and Bill Acker. Discusses Ray Oklahoma and the Ramparts article, blue boxes, loop arounds, red boxes, and credit card fraud. Mentions Al Bell and YIPL.

Keywords

Captain Crunch; Bill Moorefield; Joe Engressia; Bill Acker; Ray Oklahoma; Ramparts; blue box; red box; credit card fraud; Al Bell (phone phreak); YIPL

Source

Alan Rubinstein

Abstract

Josef Carl Engressia, Jr., who was recently the subject of of a court case brought by South Central Bell, starts his first job ever at Millington Telephone Co. in Memphis.

Keywords

Memphis, TN; Josef Carl Engressia, Jr.; Millington Telephone Co. (MTCo); South Central Bell (SCB)

Abstract

Review of, and commentary on, the Phone Phreak Convention at the Hotel Diplomat in New York. Author was unimpressed. Telephone numbers for Captain Crunch and Joe Engressia are listed at the end of the article.

Keywords

phone phreaks; Hotel Diplomat; Phone Phreak Convention; red box; blue box; black box; Youth International Party Line (YIPL); Captain Crunch; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

This is one piece in the Arts & Manners section, under the heading The Gimlet Eye.

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

A photograph of Joe Engressia, with a paragraph describing his method of phreaking.

Keywords

Joseph Engressia; The Whistler; Denver, CO; Memphis, TN

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Engressia will be on campus again this quarter

Keywords

Joe Engressia; USF; University of South Florida

Notes / See Also

There is no date or page number listed on the copy I was sent by USF. The person who sent it to me helpfully included a post-it note indicating the date as 12/8/1968 but I think this may be off.

Source

University of South Florida

Abstract

Background on Engressia's childhood

Keywords

Joe Engressia; USF; University of South Florida

Source

University of South Florida

Abstract

Describes Engressia's run-in with campus authorities over USF whistling incident.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; USF; University of South Florida

Source

University of South Florida

Abstract

Joe Engressia to leave Memphis and move to Denver. Discusses his background, love of high rises, plans in Denver. Includes quotes from Babe Howard.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Mountain Bell; W. S. Howard

Notes / See Also

Undated; unclear where we got this; includes a great photo

Source

Unknown

Abstract

Lengthy and famous article explains how the phone lines work in technical detail, with technical details of different methods of phreaking. Author interviewed serveral phreaks including Captain Crunch, Joe Engressia, Mark Bernay and a phreak who is given the alias Al Gilbertson for this article. Their histories and current lives are discussed at length.

Keywords

gambling; blue box; tandem; Las Vegas; Phillipines; Fraser Lucey; Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (PTT); black box; 2600; phone phreaks; Joe Engressia; multi-frequency tones; Bell Telephone Laboratories; long-line trunks; toll switching offices; Captain Crunch; Dr. No; Frank Carson; Marty Freeman; Peter Perpendicular Pimple; Alefnull (phone phreak); The Cheshire Cat; toll-free loop-around; 4A switching machine; stacking tandems; phone tapping; verification; Memphis; University of South Florida; Los Angeles; General Telephone and Electronics; Seattle; Cambridge, MA; New York; MF Boogie; Number 5 crossbar switching system; phone tripping; band-six in-WATS numbers; AT&T; 2111 conference; Vancouver, Canada; Mark Bernay; Automatic Electric; Northwest Pacific Bell; computer hackers; FBI; Alexander Graham Bell (phone phreak); breadbox; Millington, TN

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Telephone company catches blind college student making free calls; no prosecution.

Keywords

Tampa, FL; Joe Engressia (phone phreak); The Whistler; University of South Florida; H. E. Mason (GT security officer); J. F. Santoiana, Jr. (FBI agent)

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

"A young blind man whose ability for placing long-distance telephone calls free of charge earned him a conviction and fine earlier this week has been offered a job -- by a telephone company." Includes quotes from Babe Howard.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; W. S. Howard; Millington Telephone Company

Source

Google News Archive

Abstract

"The US Embassy in Moscow was patched into a toll free 'phone freak conference,' a blind self styled 'phone freak' has testified in U.S. District Court. [...]" Discusses trial of David C. Henny, Whidbey Island, and the Whidby Island conference call and May Day celebrations. Describes conference call lasting 60 hours, Cap'n Crunch being part of it

Keywords

Joe Engressia; David Henny; Whidbey Island; John Draper

Abstract

Overview of phone phreaking circa 1973 in the Bay Area with perspective and personal history from a Stanford based phreak. Contains a brief history of phone phreaking and a general overview of the the technical aspects.

Keywords

phone phreaks; Santa Clara County, CA; Stanford University; Captain Crunch; Esquire article; 2600; Phred (Stanford based phone phreak); Joe Engressia; KZSU (Stanford's student run radio station); FBI; bookmakers

Abstract

2008 article based on review of Joybubble's FBI file.

Keywords

Joybubbles; FBI; Joe Engressia; AUTOVON; blue box

Source

Web

Abstract

Description of second phone phreak convention at the Hotel Diplomat.

Keywords

phone phreak convention; Hotel Diplomat; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

Originally written for UK newspaper the Manchester Guardian.

Source

Newspaper Archive

Abstract

Thorough overview of phone phreaking circa 1972/1973 including how blue boxes and black boxes work and a detailed description of Ramparts magazine's run in with AT&T.

Keywords

University of South Florida; blue box; 2600; AT&T; Bell Telephone Laboratories (BTL); Bell System Technical Journal (BSTJ); phone phreaks; trunk; whistle; Joe Engressia; John Draper; Captain Crunch; Ramparts magazine; CIA; FBI; black box; Youth International Party Line (YIPL); Phone Phreak Convention; Al Bell (phone phreak); Basic Telephone Switching Systems book by David Talley; Yippies; Abbie Hoffman; red box; Telephony magazine; Ramparts magazine

Notes / See Also

Photos by Peter Paige; exact date unknown.

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

A list of court cases from 1971 involving blue boxes, and their disposition. Document was amended by hand, with the date 1971-10-05 written in.

Keywords

Peter Mokover; Mineola, NY; Clarkson College of Technology; State University of New York, Pottsdam (SUNY); blue box; Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland Heights, OH; Josef Carl Engressia

Notes / See Also

Publication date based on handwritten note; original publication date may be earlier

Abstract

Describes Minnesota residents who go by a single name, including Joybubbles. Quotes Joybubbles as saying his name comes from a retreat at Carleton College and says he legally changed it in 1991.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Abstract

Flyers and promotional material from the 1973 phone phreak convention held September 8, 1973 at the Hotel Diplomat, New York City.

Keywords

Youth International Party Line (YIPL); phone phreak convention; Technological American Party (TAP); John Draper; Captain Crunch; Joe Engressia

Source

An anonymous phone phreak

Abstract

Extensive overview of phone phreaks, their methods, history, and what the phone company is doing about them.

Keywords

blue box; phone phreaks; Captain Crunch; Josef Engressia, Jr.; South Florida College (Tampa FL); Tampa, FL; The Whistler; Babe Howard (president, Millington); Millington (small independent phone co.); stacking tandems; Dennis Mollura (AT&T spokesperson); Cal Poly; San Luis Obispo, CA; Neal Hasbrook (president, CITA); California Independent Telephone Association (CITA)

Notes / See Also

Published in the West Magazine Sunday supplement to the Los Angeles Times.

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Article compares and contrasts the histories of The Whistler and Captain Crunch.

Keywords

phone phreaks; AT&T; Joe Engressia; The Whistler; blue box; Mountain Bell; Captain Crunch; John Draper

Source

ProQuest

Abstract

Transcript of NPR program "Sorry, the Telephone Company You're Dialing Has Been Temporarily Disconnected."

Keywords

blue box; NPR; Joe Engressia; Al Bell; Al Gilbertson; Jim Russell

Notes / See Also

See also: db486

Abstract

Interview with Joybubbles at the University of Pittsburgh

Keywords

Joybubbles; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

Originally posted on http://www.icewhistle.com but has now fallen off the net; this version was retrieved from the wayback machine and preserved as a pdf.

Abstract

Describe's Joybubbles' trip to Pittsburgh to listen to Mr. Rogers episodes in 1998. Says he watched 800 episodes. Quotes him as saying he was sexually abused.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles; Fred Rogers

Abstract

Overview of phone phreaking, including what pheaks do, how they use blue boxes, and how they started. The reporter spent time with Captain Crunch and some of his protoges while they were phreaking.

Keywords

Captain Crunch; blue box; phone phreaks; AT&T; AUTOVON; San Jose, CA; whistle; 2600; Josef Engressia, Jr.; International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Blue Book; stacking tandems

Abstract

Describes Joybubbles and his decision to become a five-year-old child.

Keywords

Joe Engressia; Joybubbles

Abstract

Obituary of Joybubbles

Keywords

Joybubbles; Joe Engressia

Notes / See Also

We have three complete copies of the original issue.

Abstract

Telephone company has new equipment and methods to detect blue box use. Article includes short history of phone phreaking and arrest statistics for 1972 and 1973.

Keywords

San Rafael, CA; Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company (PTT); phone phreaks; Sanford Herschel Kosman (suspect); blue box; Los Gatos, CA; John T. Draper; Captain Crunch; Joseph C. Engressia; The Whistler; Cyrus C. Hiester (PTT security agent); Susan Kosman (suspect's wife)

Source

ProQuest