The History of Cell Phones

The History of Cell Phones Actually Began Long, Long Ago ...

It may be hard to believe, but the technology that goes into your little cell phone began over 150 years ago with a botched attempt at telegraph transmission. In 1842, Samuel Morris placed wires between two New York cities—Castle Garden and Governor’s Island. Part of this area was under water. Before he could demonstrate his ideas, a ship passed by and destroyed the cables. But Morris went on and transmitted anyway, and proved that his electrical signals would pass through water.

A year later, chemist Michael Faraday’s experiments into how space conducts electricity laid more groundwork for the technical developments that created the cell phones of today. Thirteen years after Faraday’s experiments a Virginia dentist named Mahlon Loomis transmitted a telegraphic message 18 miles by using the atmosphere and kites enclosed in copper screening!

Experimental Radios in the 1920s ... And Beyond

Police and other emergency personnel began using experimental radios in the 1920s. While these radios were not considered for public use, it helped pave the way for technological developments. In 1928 the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation was founded, and by the 1930s was marketing car radios called the “Motorola,” the name the company would change to in 1947.

The Modern Era of the Cell Phone

The modern era of cell phones began in 1947. Researchers thought that by creating small service cells, mobile phone technology that was already in place for a select few could be made available to the public. But the FCC limited the frequencies to the point where only a few calls could be placed within one area at one time.

The First Functional Portable Phone

It would not be until 1973 that a functional portable telephone would actually be fully developed. Dr. Martin Cooper is credited with this achievement, and was the first person to place a call on a mobile phone. At the time he worked for Motorola, and invented the first cell phone prototype, called the Motorola Dyna-Tac.

Four years later, mobile phone trials began in Chicago. Eventually other trials appeared in other cities, and by 1979 Japan was also testing them. Finally, in 1982, the FCC authorized cell phone service for the U.S.

Cell Phones Hit the Marketplace

Cell phones weren’t marketed to the public until 1984. It was cumbersome and unwieldy to handle, and affordable only by the rather well-to-do. Automobile units had to be installed in the car, usually in the console between the front seats, and the phone was usually plugged into its unit by a curly, old-fashioned cord that was always in the way.

By 1987, there were more than one million cell phone users, and today that number exceeds 60 million.