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Bat phone

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A bat phone, in popular jargon, is a private telephone number for important telephone calls handled at high priority.[1][2][3] The term Bat-Phone was popularized by the Batman television series starting in 1966, when it was depicted as a red phone that Commissioner Gordon used to summon Batman in emergencies.[1]

Origins in Batman

Red Bat-Phone mounted inside Batmobile at Montreal Comiccon 2011

The term originated with the red phone that Commissioner Gordon uses to call Batman in the Batman television show of 1966 to 1968, which was called the Bat-Phone.[1] In the series, Batman played by Adam West is able to receive calls from the police commissioner on the mobile Bat-Phone in the Batmobile,[4] and in his study at Wayne Manor.[5]

It was first introduced in June 1964 as the "Hot-Line" in Detective Comics No. 328, which depicts a tape recorder in the Batcave for incoming messages, and Batman Comics No. 164/1, showing an extension mounted inside the Batmobile.[6] In DC Comics No. 329 (July 1964), the Hot-Line has been installed inside of Wayne Manor, and is blue rather than red.[7][6] A note from the editors explained, "The Hot-Line provides a direct connection between police headquarters and Batman’s Batcave."[7] In 75 Years of DC Comics, author Paul Levitz credits editor Julie Schwartz for the concept, noting that the Hot-Line "forever [silenced] curious kids who demanded to know why a searchlight was the best way to summon a hero whose headquarters is in a cave."[4]

Usage in other contexts

Business

Classic red telephone mimicking the Bat Phone (2007)

In business, a bat phone has come to mean a private telephone number that has higher priority than a number that is more "public".[2] As an example, Leading Authorities on Business noted that former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos carried a mobile phone with a number he gave out only to a select group of people, including "his wife, his top suppliers, a few critical subordinates, his management team, and members of his board of directors."[8] Whenever his "bat phone" rang, Bezos made it a priority to take the call, regardless of whether he was in a meeting, or in conversation with someone else, enabling him to respond quickly to critical issues.[8]

A bat phone can also refer to a dedicated line used for specific business purposes or specific callers. In 2011, The Essential Phone Interview Handbook advised job hunters to get a separate phone number to give out to potential employers, rather than using a household landline.[9] Author Paul J. Bailo wrote, "When Batman is working on the Batmobile and he hears the Bat Phone ring, he knows it's Commissioner Gordon calling Batman on an important mission. Before Batman even picks up the phone, his head is in the game. He knows this is a serious phone call. Your Bat Phone plays the same role for you and your job search."[9]

Emergency services

In the United Kingdom, all National Health Service (NHS) hospitals have red emergency telephones, referred to as "bat phones".[10] Paramedics call the bat phone in the hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments, to alert staff that a patient requiring urgent and immediate attention is on their way.[10] Starting in 2009, the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust implemented a programme to admit stroke patients directly to the hyper-acute stroke unit rather than through A&E, using a "bat phone" with a separate ring tone and flashing light to alert ward staff prior to the patient's arrival.[11] The term "bat phone" is used similarly in emergency departments in Australia, derived from Commissioner Gordon's secure line to the Batcave.[12]

Politics

In the United States, "bat phone" has been used to refer to a direct line to government officials,[13] often in connection with national security.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Bergman, Gregory; Lambert, John (2011). Geektionary: More than 1,000 words to understand goobs, gamers, orkdorks, and technofreaks. Avon, Massachusetts: Adams Media. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-4405-1114-1.
  2. ^ a b Tetzlaff, Stefan (2020). "Batmans Zeichen: Zur Metonymie als semiotischem Verfahren in Superheldennarrativen". In Nieser, Florian (ed.). Die Dechiffrierung von Helden (in German). Bielefeld: transcript Verlag. pp. 79–102. doi:10.1515/9783839449271-006 – via DeGruyter.
  3. ^ Bailo, Paul J. (2011). The Essential Phone Interview Handbook. Pompton Plains, New Jersey: Career Press. pp. 42–43. ISBN 9781601631541.
  4. ^ a b Levitz, Paul (2010). Taschen, Benedikt (ed.). 75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern Mythmaking. Taschen. pp. 367, 374–375. ISBN 978-3836519816.
  5. ^ "Batman – Fantasy Flashback". No. 94. 1997. pp. 52–53. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Fleisher, Michael L.; Lincoln, Janet E. (1976). The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes. New York: Macmillan. p. 75. ISBN 0-02-538700-6.
  7. ^ a b MacNabb, Matt (2016). Batman's Arsenal. Tuxedo Park, New York: Opus. p. 273. ISBN 9781623160746.
  8. ^ a b Goldsmith, Marshall; Belasco, James, eds. (2002). Leading Authorities on Business: Winning Strategies from the Greatest Minds in Business Today. Washington, DC: Leading Authorities Press. p. 184. ISBN 09710078-3-7.
  9. ^ a b Bailo, Paul J. (2011). The Essential Phone Interview Handbook. Pompton Plains, New Jersey: Career Press. pp. 42–43. ISBN 9781601631541.
  10. ^ a b "'I spent the day in Ashford and St Peter's busy A&E department and learnt these 10 things'". Get Surrey. February 17, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  11. ^ NHS Improvement (2010). "Stroke improvement programme: Implementing best practice in acute care" (PDF). NHS England. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  12. ^ Kamper, Angela (August 15, 2009). "Lifesavers at the end of Bat phone". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney, Australia. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via EBSCOHost.
  13. ^ ""Telemarketers call Bloomberg's secure "bat phone"". NBC News. January 10, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
  14. ^ Moscoso, Eunice (May 4, 2003). "States Get 'Bat Phone' to Homeland Security". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved November 29, 2022 – via ProQuest.
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