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First Call Made
On March 10, 1876 Alexander Graham Bell made the first phone call to his assistant. He said the words, "Mr. Watson-- come here-- I want to see you."
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/recon/jb_recon_telephone_1.html -
Bell Telephone Company
In 1877 the Bell Telephone Company was founded. 3,000 private phones were active by the end of the year.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1803.html -
Switchboard
In 1878 the first manual switchboard debuted in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to the switchboard telephones were only able to operate in pairs since there was no network.
https://culturexchange1.wordpress.com/2015/06/02/the-telephone-switchboard-the-story-of-a-revolutionary-instrument/ -
Long Distance
In 1881 the United States saw the its first long distance phone service. This changed the way that American's were able to communicate. Bell made the first long distance phone call by calling the Boston Globe from Salem, MA.
https://www.poynter.org/2015/today-in-media-history-in-1877-alexander-graham-bell-made-the-first-long-distance-phone-call-to-the-boston-globe/319227/ -
Mobile Car Phone
In 1946 the first mobile car phone was introduced. It was marketed to business people and truck fleet operators. The phone weighed 80 pounds!
http://www.wb6nvh.com/MTSfiles/Carphone1.htm -
Non-Car Mobile Phones
In 1973 the first non-car mobile phones were introduced. It was developed by Motorolla. The call was made from Martin Cooper on the streets of New York.
http://www.knowyourmobile.com/nokia/nokia-3310/19848/history-mobile-phones-1973-2008-handsets-made-it-all-happen -
Flip Phones
In 1989 the first flip phones were released. These phones were targeted to the wealthy. The phone cost around $3,000.
http://www.mobilephonehistory.co.uk/motorola/motorola_9800X.php -
Blackberry
In 2002 the first Blackberry with cell phone service was released.
http://www.mobilephonehistory.co.uk/motorola/motorola_9800X.php -
iPhone
In 2007 the iPhone was introduced. The iPhone had no buttons. Everything was done by touch screen. It had a music app, camera, and internet access.
https://www.biography.com/news/steve-jobs-first-generation-iphone
