50 Years Ago, the First Cell Phone Call Was Made

On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper made history as he walked through the streets of Manhattan carrying a never-before-seen device - a cell phone...

...while strolling, he made a call that marked a revolutionary moment. This week, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of this event, and it's incredible to see how much progress we've made since then.

Over the past 50 years, we've not only witnessed the passage of time, but we've also experienced significant technological advancements that have provided a vast majority of the population with personal access to cell phones or access through someone in their close circle. Cell phones have become so ubiquitous that we often assume everyone has one, as it has become an integral part of our daily lives. We carry this technology in our pockets, and it immediately connects us to the world.

So, what was it like?...

During the time Dr. Martin Cooper was working at Motorola, the phone industry closely monitored AT&T and Bell Labs' progress in creating a cellular technology-based telephone system for cars that would enable users to make calls. However, AT&T's initial system had two significant limitations: limited simultaneous connections and high prices.

As the father of the mobile or cell phone, Dr. Cooper believed that a system that restricted users to making calls only from their cars was not a genuine mobile alternative to the traditional telephone. As a result, he set out to develop his own version. In just 90 days, Dr. Cooper created his first prototype in 1973 and proceeded to plan a public demonstration for the press.

How far do you think the technological advances will go in the next 50 years?...