| Mobile phones have become an incredibly huge part of | | | | In response to the problem, a call handoff system was |
| daily life, although it is hard to believe that only a couple | | | | developed, in which users could travel through several |
| of decades ago, cell phones were virtually nonexistent. | | | | cell areas and not lose the connection. This system is |
| Portable phones were the size of briefcases, and | | | | still in use today, although it has been improved and |
| carrying one around was a hassle that most people | | | | elaborated upon in some cases. |
| wanted to avoid. Over the years, advances in | | | | The true father of cell phones is widely regarded as |
| technology have led to smaller, more capable phones, | | | | Dr. Martin Cooper, as he holds the US Patent for his |
| and now it is hard to find someone who does not own | | | | radio telephone system, which translates today as a |
| a cell phone. Some users cannot even remember | | | | cell phone or portable handset. He also was the first |
| what they used to do without the device. | | | | person to make a cell phone call, which was |
| The first mobile phones were large two-way radios | | | | conducted on a street in front of surprised pedestrians. |
| that were used only in vehicles, as they were too | | | | While there had been several types of mobile phone |
| heavy to be carried around by people. In fact, they | | | | systems before Cooper, he was the first to develop a |
| were installed directly in to vehicles, as there was no | | | | cell phone that did not require all the extra baggage |
| point in removing them. Eventually, suitcase and | | | | that came with other products. |
| backpack two-way phones were invented, and while | | | | The 1980s and 1990s saw the fastest improvements |
| they were extremely large by today's standards, in the | | | | in mobile phones than ever before. Two generations |
| 1940s they were quite innovative. | | | | spanned both decades, 1G and 2G, and currently, 3G |
| When cellular communication was first proposed in the | | | | phones are most widely used, and have the abilities to |
| late 1940s, technology was not advanced enough to | | | | transmit text messages, stream audio and video, and |
| support cell towers and phones themselves. It was not | | | | take pictures. Many people use their phones more for |
| until the late 1950s that telephone network connected | | | | the other applications than for calling. It is essentially |
| cell phones began to arise. Phones weighed between | | | | impossible to find a cell phone that is limited to just |
| twenty and ninety pounds and not more than a few | | | | making calls. The most advanced phones currently |
| hundred people ever bought them. They were also | | | | have access to the Internet, offer GPS services, and |
| bulky and incredibly expensive. | | | | can record long videos with amazing quality. The |
| One of the main purposes of a mobile phone is to be | | | | iPhone, for example, is the epitome of innovation, |
| able to talk while you are traveling, but initially, one had | | | | utilizing a seamless touch interface to allow the user to |
| to stay within a small area of a single cell station, and if | | | | quickly access anything they want. What the future |
| they left that area, the call would disconnect. Bell Labs | | | | holds is a mystery, and one can only wonder what |
| was responsible for numerous cell phone innovations, | | | | new features lie before us. |
| and there was no lapse when it came to this dilemma. | | | | |