| Images of old cell phones from the 90s are a surefire | | | | was credited with making the first ever call on a |
| way to spark laughter-they are big, cumbersome, | | | | portable cell phone-a privilege he enjoyed as its chief |
| and look ridiculously outdated compared to the small | | | | creator. Ironically, the first call was made to the head |
| gizmos we have today. So it should be surprising to | | | | of research labs at Bell, their chief competitor. |
| learn that the first conception of crude, mobile | | | | Perhaps this was actually fitting since Bell was |
| phones actually dates all the way back to 1947. | | | | responsible for inventing the crude mobile phone that |
| Researchers tried to evolve the technology used in | | | | was designed to be used in police cars in the 40s. |
| walkie talkies. They realized that by using small cells | | | | Four years later, Bell created a prototype that was |
| instead of relying on single frequencies they could | | | | used on trial in Chicago by up to two thousand |
| reuse the same frequencies, and thereby dramatically | | | | people. Two years after that, in a completely |
| increase the traffic capacity. In other words, the initial | | | | unrelated venture, a separate operation was |
| kernel of invention was present, but unfortunately its | | | | undertaken in Tokyo. There was considerable |
| potential was halted. | | | | international buzz about the new technology as it |
| The FCC (the organization in the U.S which regulates | | | | went from being something existing only in science |
| anything to do with broadcasting or sending television | | | | fiction to something that would appear imminently. |
| or radio waves) blocked AT & T's request to | | | | In 1981 Motorola joined with American Radio |
| allocate a large number of radio spectrum | | | | Telephone to start a second U.S. cellular telephone |
| frequencies. This would have provided the | | | | system test in Washington and Buffalo. The |
| groundwork for widespread cell phone use and would | | | | movement was gaining momentum, and by 1982 the |
| have given AT & T incentive to further develop the | | | | FCC finally authorized commercial cellular services for |
| technology. Under the strict FCC regulations of the | | | | the United States. Ameritech made the first |
| time, airwaves only allowed for twenty-three phone | | | | American commercial analog cellular service available in |
| conversations to take place at any given time. This | | | | Chicago. Still, the technology was expensive and it |
| mentality was symbolic of the limited understanding | | | | was far from being as accessible as phones are |
| of cell phone technology's potential. In hindsight it | | | | today. But by 1987 cellular phone subscribers |
| looks like a boneheaded decision, but it should be | | | | exceeded one million and airways were crowded. |
| remembered that this was 1947, so the FCC should | | | | The 90s brought on a new wave of cell phone |
| be at least partially excused for not understanding | | | | technology that ushered in the modern era where |
| the full implications of modern communications | | | | one belongs to the average person. Yes, those big |
| technology. Still though, the idea lay buried for | | | | 90s clunkers look old, but who would have believed |
| decades. | | | | that the cell phone was actually conceived of so |
| It wasn't until 1973 when Dr. Martin Cooper, former | | | | many decades ago? |
| general manager of the Systems division at Motorola, | | | | |