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Patent Granted
Alexander Graham Bell was given a patent for his idea of the telephone. Soon after the patent was granted, the first words were spoken successfully through the first ever telephone phone “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.” (http://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-Graham-Bell) Video on the evolution of the telephone -
Candlestick Phone
Alexander Graham Bell improved the original phone he created by making the candlestick telephone. The patent on the original telephone was almost ready to expire, and Bell knew he needed to continue to innovate in order to face competition about to enter the field. (http://oldtelephones.com/the-history/) -
Rotary Dial Telephone
John and Charles Erickson, and A.E. Keith got a patent for the first rotary dial phone in 1896. However, it wasn't until 1919 when the phone was able to be used. This phone made dialing much easier for the user. (http://www.visionlaunch.com/when-was-the-rotary-phone-invented/) How the rotary dial telephone was used -
Touchtone
The Bell System introduces the touchtone dialing telephone, which were the first ever phones with an electronic dialing system. Rather than pulse dialing with the rotary dial telephone, users could now easily press which number they needed with just one click. (http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/edn-moments/4424443/Tone-dialing-telephones-are-introduced--November-18--1963) -
Cordless
George Sweigert applied for a patent for the idea of the cordless telephone in 1966. In 1980 Sony introduced the first cordless phone to the marketplace. This was a significant step in the evolution of the telephone/cell phone.
This invention gave a lot more freedom for people when they wanted to use the telephone.
People could freely use the phone around the house. The drawbacks included interference and short battery life. (http://www.ligo.co.uk/blog/brief-history-cordless-phone/) -
Cellular Phone
Martin Cooper is recognized as being a major part in the creation of the cell phone. He has been called the "father of the cell phone." He was an engineer for Motorola. In 1973 the first mobile phone call was made by Cooper. The development of this phone was incredibly significant, because it allowed people to eventually use phones not just in their houses, but wherever they go. (http://www.knowyourmobile.com/nokia/nokia-3310/19848/history-mobile-phones-1973-2008-handsets-made-it-all-happen) -
The Smartphone
IBM’s Simon Personal Communicator was introduced in 1992. This phone combined the functions of a cell phone with a PDA. It had a touch screen, internet capabilities, and apps such as a calendar and address book.
This phone opened the world up to the possibility of internet access and other major capabilities all at one's fingertips.
Some drawbacks of the smartphone have been safety problems and hinderance of human interaction. (http://pocketnow.com/2014/07/28/the-evolution-of-the-smartphone) -
iPhone
Apple Incorporated introduced the first iPhone on June 29th, 2007. This was a revolutionary device added to the cell-phone market. The iPhone allowed for application downloads, music playing capabilities, internet access, camera usage, a touch-screen, and much more. Today, this phone is seen as the most advanced and widely used phone in the market. (http://apple-history.com/iphone) -
Future Development
I believe that sometime down the road telephones will become completely holographic devices. People will utilize their "cell phones" by shining the device wherever and touching the desired actions in the air. The devices could be all glass by that time. This will impact culture by making technology so prevalent wherever in the world. It will take more away from the peacefulness of the world that God created. -
The Medium is the Message
The telephone highlights communication between society. It has allowed for a much more connected and informed world. On the other hand, the telephone has become such a big part of our lives that society would be lost without them. They are glued to the hands of many and people have a hard time focusing on whats important when this device is in play. The phone is very useful, but at the same time it has taken many people away from reality.
