Now, your smartphone is a virtual pocket computer. Ya have texting, an internet browser, calendar, PDA, etc., etc. This is the new normal. And another thing is that I haven't seen a payphone in ages. I think the hardware is in various museums all over the place.
Watching some young people watching an old rerun of Dragnet from about 1952. Sergeant Joe Friday went to a house and asked if he could use the phone. The people watching the program were shocked: "Wow! That's rude! Isn't a police officer supposed to carry his own cell phone?"
First Cellular system went online in Chicago in 83. I lived in Indiana, and we had service in 86. I've had a cell phone of one sort or another since then. Before cellular, we had RCC, MTS, IMTS, and various "phone patch" arrangements. In other words, there have been "mobile phones" for almost as long as there have been two-way radios in cars. I'm a Ham Radio Operator, and recall having "autopatch" in the car in 71. But yes, I do recall life before even that technology.
Posted by Duff at 4:13 pm (PST) on Thu February 23, 2012
Good points, Laura. Also, we no longer devote any brainpower to remembering phone numbers. Now we use speed dial or call via a Contacts list or voice dialing feature.
Unfortunately with this invention kids, and some adults, no longer have to put any thought into calling. You used to have to think about when you could call and catch the person at home. You used to have to remember, or write down, what you wanted to say because you could not just pick up the phone and call someone the minute you thought of something. We no longer have the ability, or patience, to do this. Nor do many give their full attention to the person they are with because they are constantly answering their cell phone. I try not to hang out with that type of rude person as obviously they are too busy to give me their attention.
Well, I'm a hold out. I STILL don't have a cell phone. One of the more annoying things we have that has created an actual dependancy in so many of its users.
O M G -- I had that phone! Our kids just can't picture life in the 70's, with a single phone, attached to the wall, with a four foot tether, and rotary dial. Even better, for a couple years, we had a party line.
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