Happy Birthday cell phone - the first cell phone call occurred 04/03/73

[maflynn]

As reported by Engadget, the first cell phone call occurred 40 years ago today.

Its astounding how the industry has changed these past few years, thanks in large part to apple. Still, I remember my first cell phone back in the 90s.

Its unfortunate that the company that was a pioneer failed to continue to innovate and was bought out by google. Motorola was unable to keep up with its competitors these past few years.

 

[Fazzy]

As reported by Engadget, the first cell phone call occurred 40 years ago today.

Its astounding how the industry has changed these past few years, thanks in large part to apple. Still, I remember my first cell phone back in the 90s.

Its unfortunate that the company that was a pioneer failed to continue to innovate and was bought out by google. Motorola was unable to keep up with its competitors these past few years.

I had no idea the first 'mobile' phone was so old. I thought it was 10 years younger at least. Well, you learn something new everyday.

 

[eric/]

I remember my Mom having a Nokia cell phone. Little blue thing that had snake on it and stuff.

Then I got my first phone, which I loved. Then I got a Motorola RAZR, which was the best thing ever.

My how times have changed.

 

[maflynn]

I had no idea the first 'mobile' phone was so old. I thought it was 10 years younger at least. Well, you learn something new everyday.

I remember seeing people using the DynaTAC 8000 series back in the 80s Turning my head and wonder what the heck

 

[S.B.G]

That's good stuff. I sent the link to some of my Motorola Solutions counter-parts in an email.

 

[Happybunny]

Saw my first mobile telephone in use in London 1984. Now they are everywhere.

I do remember however on a trip to Graceland, I saw Elvis's mobile telephone.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/blog/Elvis-Presleys-Mobile-Phone/172

 

[rdowns]

I'd also like to add a very Happy 40th Birthday to the dropped call.

 

[velocityg4]

Not really the first cell phone. They had car models in the 1940's. This is just the first self contained handset.

 

[Plutonius]

Then I got a Motorola RAZR, which was the best thing ever.

My current phone is a Motorola RAZR (original one) on pay as you go T-Mobile.

The call quality is excellent, the battery life is very good, and it's cheap to use (no expensive cell plan). Even though it's an older phone, it even supports hands free calling from my car. I bought it new on Amazon and just needed a sim card from T-Mobile. I use my iPod Touch 5 on wifi for everything else but calls.

 

[APlotdevice]

Not really the first cell phone. They had car models in the 1940's. This is just the first self contained handset.

Those early car phones didn't use cell technology. Rather they were based on more conventional radio technology, and as such ran into the problem of not having enough frequencies to cover a large number of users.

 

[mrsir2009]

I had no idea the first 'mobile' phone was so old. I thought it was 10 years younger at least. Well, you learn something new everyday.

Me too - I would've guessed sometime in the 80s.

 

[firedept]

Remember the first cell phone was the size of a cinder block. Then they got a little smaller, about brick size. Then they came down again to about half a brick but still required you to reinforce your pants pocket to carry them. Thank goodness for today's technology.