You may have thought that those large mobile phones from the 1980s were some of the largest mobile phones as well as some of the first that people carried around.
It turns out that there were some even larger mobile phones back in 1964, and there were around 1.5 million people using them in the US running on AT&T’s network which was called their “Improved Mobile Telephone Service” at the time.
The Evolution of Mobile Phones
The mobile phones from 1964 were quite a marvel of their time. These devices were significantly larger than the mobile phones we are accustomed to today. They were often installed in cars due to their size and the need for a substantial power source. The Improved Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS) provided by AT&T was a significant upgrade from earlier mobile phone services, offering better call quality and more reliable connections. Despite their bulkiness, these phones represented a significant step forward in mobile communication technology.
The IMTS network allowed users to make and receive calls over a wide area, which was a considerable improvement over the limited range of earlier mobile phone systems. This service was a precursor to the modern cellular networks we use today, laying the groundwork for the development of more advanced mobile communication technologies.
Comparing 1960s Mobile Phones to the 1980s Models
When comparing the mobile phones from the 1960s to those from the 1980s, it’s clear that there were significant advancements in technology. The mobile phones from the 1980s, while still large by today’s standards, were more portable and user-friendly. They were often referred to as “brick phones” due to their size and shape. These phones used analog technology and were the first to be widely adopted by consumers.
In contrast, the mobile phones from the 1960s were more cumbersome and less convenient to use. They required a substantial amount of power, which meant they were often installed in vehicles rather than carried around. Despite these limitations, the fact that over 1.5 million people were using these devices in the 1960s is a testament to the demand for mobile communication even at that early stage.
The advancements in mobile phone technology from the 1960s to the 1980s were driven by improvements in electronic components, battery technology, and network infrastructure. These advancements made it possible to create smaller, more efficient devices that could be used by a broader range of people.
I think I would have much preferred to carry one of these around than one of those from the 80s, luckily our cell phones are much smaller these days.
Today’s mobile phones are a far cry from the bulky devices of the past. Modern smartphones are incredibly compact, powerful, and versatile. They offer a wide range of features, including high-resolution cameras, internet connectivity, and access to a vast array of apps and services. The evolution of mobile phones from the 1960s to today is a fascinating journey that highlights the rapid pace of technological advancement.
via Boing Boing, Gizmodo, Gear Fuse
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