Bob and Ray (Bob Elliot and the late Ray Goulding) did an hilarious schtick on this topic.

Reporter Wally Ballou (who always started talking before his mike was turned on) visited the City Control Center (or some such name) and an employee showed him around - it started something like this:

"See that panel light that just turned on? That means that a lady over on Third Street just opened her refrigerator door. I have to turn on her refrigerator's light!"

Ballou: "Gee, I always thought that the light turned on automatically!"

"You probably believe in elves ard fairies too!"