I consider myself quite well versed in crazy bombings and shootings in American history. I have watched probably hundreds of hours of footage from 9/11, Waco, Ruby Ridge, Columbine etc.
But never once have I heard about this bombing, and never once in my 26 years on this earth have I ever imagined that a state fire marshall would be willing to stand next to a live bomb to examine it.
The IRA also phoned about many of their bombs. The Omagh bombing is mostly notable because their phone-call didn't accurately identify where the bomb would detonate, and so got people killed.
Plenty of terrorist groups have recognized that killing innocent bystanders isn't good PR.
The IRA usually (plenty of exceptions and changes over time) phoned ahead, they wanted the impact of terrorism without the bad press of civilian killings. Not a particular relevant example in modern times though.
I wonder if it's more about phsycology, someone making a bomb threat is seeking attention for some reason and ignoring it might make their behavior escalate.
But never once have I heard about this bombing, and never once in my 26 years on this earth have I ever imagined that a state fire marshall would be willing to stand next to a live bomb to examine it.
1980 must have been a different time!