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1960 BCE
1960's
By 1967, mobile phone technology allowed the user to stay within a very limited calling area, since mobile base stations were unable to transfer calls from one area to the other. Call handoff technology as we know it today was invented in 1970 thanks to Bell Labs engineer Amos Edward but was not approved by the FCC until 1982. Cellular phones operated on an analog service from 1982 through 1990 before going to digital service. -
How cellphones changed over time
In 1946, Swedish police used the first mobile phone. The device was similar to a two-way radio but worked via a connection to the telephone network and the car's battery. The phone was able to make just six phone calls before draining the car battery. -
First generations
In 1983, Motorola unveiled the first truly portable phone: the DynaTAC 8000X. It weighed close to 2 pounds, was nicknamed the "brick" thanks to its length of 13 inches and cost close to $4,000. Its battery allowed for one hour of talk time and could store 30 numbers. These first-generation phones came in a tote back that could charge the battery via your car's cigarette light adapter. Others looked vaguely like briefcases that packed along larger batteries for longer talk time. -
second generation
Cellular phones from the early 1990s on are considered second generation, or 2G. The 1990s models are considered second generation (2G) because they were able to work on TDMA and CDMA systems both in the U.S. and Europe and used digital circuit switched transmission technology, which lowered the number of dropped calls and improved call quality. Second-generation phones also benefited from computer chip technology, which allowed for smaller cell phones and phone batteries. -
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Third generation
Third generation, or 3G phones, came out just a few years after 2G and allowed phones to multitask. This meant the phones can do much more than relay conversation. They can even make and receive e-mails and SMS texts, as well as use the Internet via WiFi.