Tech Over Time- Telephone Timeline

First telephone connection

1874

Alexander Graham Bell discovers the idea of the telephone. He tested the idea with Thomas Watson to create the first telephone connection.

First telephone wire strung

1877

The first telephone wire is strung. Commercial telephone service began in the United States.

Greater distances for the telephone

1894

Oliver Lodge demonstrates wireless communication over 150 yards.

Telephone use spreads across the US.

1915

Bell System completes a U.S. transcontinental telephone line. This made everyone able to communicate across the United States.

No more rotary phones.

1963

Bell Systems introduces the touch-tone phone. This telephone made a different beep for each number instead of counting clicks for each number and replaced rotary phones.

First cell phone invented

1983

Martin Cooper is credited with developing the first cell phone, later approved for commercial news.

Pocket phone released

1989

A “Pocket” cellular telephone is introduced by Motorola.

The all in one phone.

1993

The IBM Simon is released and considered the first smartphone. It acted as a mobile phone, PDA, and fax machine all in one.

Faster telephones

1997

Cell phone companies strive to make their mobile phone models lighter, faster, and cheaper.

Blackberry 850

1999

Research in Motion introduces the Blackberry 850

The first iPhone

2007

Apple launched its first iPhone, which integrated a touchscreen display with the best web-browsing experience yet offered on a mobile device. Years later, it is still the device to which all other smartphones are compared.

First Android

2009

Motorola introduces the first Android-based smartphone, and it sold over 1 million units within 74 days.