Timeline: Highlights in the history of Mobile Phones

Jul 17, 1946

Mobile radio telephone

Motorola and the Bell System opened the first commercial mobile telephone service 'Mobile Telephone System (MTS)' in the United States in 1946. This was the first move away from military-grade mobile portable radios. Information from: Encyclopedia Britannica (no date), 'Mobile Telephone', accessed via: www.britannica.com/technology/mobile-telephone#ref1079045

Dec 24, 1956

Ericsson's Mobile System A

First used in Sweden, Ericsson's Mobile System A was the first semi automatic mobile system for cars. Information from: Billström, Cederquist, Ewerbring, Sandegren and Udden 2006, 'Fifty years with mobile phones — From novelty to no. 1 consumer product', accessed via: www.ericsson.com/ericsson/corpinfo/publications/review/2006_03/03.shtml

Jan 1, 1964

Motorola push button phone

Motorola introduces a push button phone for cars that is much lighter than its predecessors. Information via: Meyers 2011, 'Watch The Incredible 70-Year Evolution Of The Cell Phone', accessed via: www.businessinsider.com.au/complete-visual-history-of-cell-phones-2011-5?r=US&IR=T#

Jan 1, 1973

First ever private mobile phone call not in a car.

Motorola Vice President Martin Cooper was the lucky person to make this call. Information via: Meyers 2011, 'Watch The Incredible 70-Year Evolution Of The Cell Phone', accessed via: www.businessinsider.com.au/complete-visual-history-of-cell-phones-2011-5?r=US&IR=T

Dec 24, 1983

Motorola's DynaTAC cellular phone

The Motorola's DynaTAC cellular phone was finally made available to the public. It cost a massive $4000 at the time, which would be around double that today. Information via: Meyers 2011, 'Watch The Incredible 70-Year Evolution Of The Cell Phone', accessed via: www.businessinsider.com.au/complete-visual-history-of-cell-phones-2011-5?r=US&IR=T

Jan 24, 1989

Motorola invents the first ever flip-top phone

The first ever flip top had its hardware installed into the hinged section to make it smaller - it was also the world's first pocket phone. Information via: Meyers 2011, 'Watch The Incredible 70-Year Evolution Of The Cell Phone', accessed via: www.businessinsider.com.au/complete-visual-history-of-cell-phones-2011-5?r=US&IR=T

May 6, 1993

IBM - first smartphone

The world's first smartphone is created. It has lots of different features - mobile, fax, notes, calendar and much more.

Dec 24, 1999

First ever GPS mobile phone

GeoSentric created the first ever mobile phone with GPS navigation.

Dec 24, 2002

Blackberry 5810

The first Blackberry mobile phone - unfortunately it had no speaker or microphone.

Dec 24, 2004

Motorola RAZR

Probably the most popular phone for our early high school years. The first marketed as a 'fashion' phone and sold over 50 million copies in its first two years.