The birth of an idea: from radio waves to the first prototypes

Let's take a look back in time. Long before sleek touchscreens and instant access to information, it all started with a spark - the discovery of electromagnetic waves by Heinrich Hertz in 1886. This was a timid first step, followed by the demonstration of a device to register these waves by Alexander Popov in 1895. Imagine, the world was just beginning to realize the potential of wireless data transmission!

Initially, connectivity was just a dream, captured in ancient letters that appeared around 3000 BC. But it was Hertz and Popov who laid the foundation that, decades later, led to the first prototypes of mobile devices. It was a time of experimentation as scientists tried to harness invisible radio waves and turn them into a means of communication. The first steps were tentative, but full of hope for a future where voice could travel distances without wires.

1973: First call from a cell phone

April 3, 1973. New York. The world held its breath, though no one knew it yet. On that day, Martin Cooper, a Motorola engineer, made a call that changed the course of history forever. He was holding the DynaTAC 8000x, a prototype cell phone that weighed more than a kilogram and looked more like a brick than a modern smartphone.

Who did he call? His arch rival, Joel Engel of Bell Labs. The call was not just a technology demonstration, it was a challenge, a statement of Motorola's leadership in a new era of wireless communications. Cooper said in just a few words, "Joel, I'm calling you from a cell phone. A portable, real cell phone.". It was a moment of triumph, the culmination of decades of research and development that began with the discoveries of Hertz and Popov.

The DynaTAC 8000x was the result of a tremendous amount of effort invested in creating a device capable of transmitting voice over radio waves without the need to connect to the telephone network. But the road to this point was a thorny one. Motorola had invested heavily in the development of mobile communications, recognizing its potential. Cooper and his team worked to develop a prototype that was reasonably compact, reliable, and easy to use. The DynaTAC 8000x was far from perfect. Its battery life was only 30 minutes and it took about 10 hours to charge. The cost of the device was astronomical - about 4,000 dollars. But it was the first step, proof that mobile communication was possible.

This call became a symbol of a new era, a harbinger of a revolution in communications. It opened the door to the development of more advanced cell phones, which eventually became an integral part of our lives. Remember, in 1973, cell phones were just a dream, a fantastic idea available to only a few. But thanks to the persistence and genius of Martin Cooper, that dream became a reality, changing the world forever.

1980s: The era of "bricks" ー 1G and analog communications

The Eighties... A time of brightly colored locs, synthesizers, and of course, the first commercial cell phones! After Martin Cooper's historic phone call in 1973, it took a whole decade for the technology to become available to the general public. Imagine, these were the real "bricks" - bulky, heavy and incredibly expensive devices.

The first commercial cell phone was the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, which went on sale in 1983. Its cost was over $3,995, an amount comparable to the cost of a used car. Not surprisingly, the first owners were businessmen, doctors and other representatives of professions for whom mobile communication was vital.

This era was marked by the first generation of cellular communications (1G). 1G used analog communication, which meant that voice was transmitted as a continuous signal. The quality of communication was not perfect, with interference and interceptions often occurring, but it was a huge step forward compared to no cell phone service at all. The 1G network was based on a cellular structure, which allowed coverage over large areas. Each cell was a base station that served a specific area. When a subscriber moved between cells, a signal was transmitted, ensuring continuity of communication.

1G cell phones became a symbol of status and prestige. Their owners demonstrated their success and belonging to the elite. "Bricks" became an integral part of the image of a business man of the 80s. At that time there was no SMS, no internet, no applications. The cell phone served solely for making and receiving calls. But even this simple function radically changed the way people communicate, giving them the ability to stay connected anywhere.

The era of bricks was short, but it laid the foundation for the further development of mobile communications in the form of 2G networks, which will be discussed next. Technology improved, devices became smaller and more affordable, and capabilities became broader. 1G was the first step towards the creation of a global mobile network that today covers almost the entire world.

1990s: The digital revolution ー 2G and SMS

The nineties saw a digital revolution in mobile communications: after the analog "bricks" of 1G came the time of 2G - the second generation of cellular communications, which brought with it dramatic changes.

The main difference between 2G and 1G is the use of digital communication. Instead of a continuous analog signal, voice was converted into a digital code, which provided higher quality of communication, greater security and the possibility of introducing new services. Imagine, it was like going from a blurred image to a clear picture. In the early 90's, the first digital cellular communication system projects, such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), appeared. GSM quickly gained popularity around the world, becoming the standard for mobile communications. It differed from analog systems by using spectrally efficient modulation methods and time division of channels (TDMA) and code division (CDMA).

But the real breakthrough was the advent of SMS - short text messages. In 1992, engineer Neil Papworth sent the first SMS message from a computer to a cell phone. Initially SMS were not intended for mass use, but very quickly became incredibly popular, especially among young people. SMS became a new way of communication, allowing quick and convenient exchange of information. They were cheaper than calls and did not require an immediate response. SMS correspondence became an integral part of everyday life for millions of people.

In the 90s, cell phones became smaller, lighter and more affordable. Folding phones ("clamshells") appeared and became a symbol of fashion and style. Manufacturers experimented with design and functionality, offering ever more advanced devices. At that time, cell phones were still not as smart as today's smartphones. They didn't have internet access, didn't support apps, and couldn't play music. But they already provided users with the ability to stay connected anywhere and anytime.

2000s: Mobile Internet and Multimedia - 3G

The new millennium has arrived, and with it the 3G era. After the digital revolution of 2G, cell phones have made a huge leap forward, transforming from simple means of communication into multifunctional multimedia devices. Imagine, the world in your pocket!

3G (Third Generation) is the third generation of cellular communication, which provided significantly faster data transfer speeds than 2G. This allowed users to access really fast mobile internet, watch videos, listen to music and play online games directly on their phones. Mobile internet was a real breakthrough. For the first time, people were able to go online without being tethered to a computer or wired connection. This opened up new possibilities for work, study and entertainment.

Along with 3G came new types of mobile devices. Smartphones equipped with touch screens and operating systems began to gain popularity. They offered users a wide range of features, including access to e-mail, web browsing and various applications. Multimedia became the backbone of the mobile experience, and 3G allowed users to listen to MP3 music, watch MPEG-4 videos and view or post high quality photos - all without being tethered to a desktop computer. Cell phones have become portable entertainment centers.

The first mobile applications appeared that extended the functionality of phones. Applications for social networking, navigation, weather and other services became popular among users. This was the beginning of the era of mobile applications that changed our world. In the 2000s, cell phones became more affordable. Manufacturers offered a wide range of models in different price categories. Mobile communication became mass and more and more people started using cell phones.

2007: iPhone and the beginning of the smartphone era

2007. The world is frozen in anticipation. Steve Jobs takes the stage and introduces a device that would forever change the way cell phones were thought of - the iPhone. It wasn't just a phone, it was a pocket computer, multimedia player and internet browser in one sleek package. Revolutionary, wasn't it?

The iPhone was the first smartphone to make the touchscreen the primary method of control. Instead of buttons and a stylus, users could interact with the device by simply touching the screen with their fingers. This was intuitive and convenient, and quickly gained popularity. An important key feature of the iPhone was the App Store. It provided a platform for developers to create and distribute mobile applications. Soon the App Store was filled with thousands of applications that extended the iPhone's functionality and made it even more useful.

The iPhone set a new standard for smartphones. Other manufacturers started copying its design and functionality. Soon, many smartphones running on Android and other platforms appeared on the market. The era of smartphones had begun. Cell phones are no longer just a means of communication. They have become an essential part of our lives, helping us to work, study, have fun and communicate with friends and family.

2010s: 4G and the ubiquity of mobile Internet

Welcome to the decade of speed. The 2010s saw the triumph of 4G, the fourth generation of mobile communications. Imagine how a world used to slow GPRS and 3G suddenly had the ability to download movies in minutes, stream high-definition video and play online games without lag!

4G is not just about increasing speeds. It is a new network architecture based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology. It has significantly increased network capacity and reduced signal latency. It's like moving from a narrow country road to an expressway!

The ubiquity of 4G has led to an explosive growth in mobile internet consumption. The development of mobile applications has gone hand in hand with the development of 4G. New applications requiring high internet speeds such as streaming services, online gaming and video conferencing applications emerged. It was a symbiosis of technologies that led to new opportunities.

4G has had a huge impact on business. Companies have been able to provide their employees with access to corporate resources from anywhere in the world. This has increased productivity and reduced costs. The next-generation network also became the basis for the development of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. The 4G decade has been a period of ubiquity for mobile internet. It has changed the way we live, work and play.

Technology breakthroughs: cameras, screens and processors

But the changes are not just limited to next-generation networks. For example, do you remember the first phone cameras? The images were grainy and the resolution was ridiculous by today's standards. But even these first steps in mobile photography have become extremely important. Imagine being able to capture life's important moments without carrying around a bulky camera.

The evolution of cameras in cell phones has been quite rapid. From the first VGA cameras to today's multi-megapixel systems with optical stabilization and artificial intelligence, it didn't take long. It was a time of constant innovation, with manufacturers competing to see who could offer users the best image quality.

Parallel to the development of cameras, there was a breakthrough in the field of screens. The first cell phones had small monochrome displays. This was a significant limitation: users could only see text and simple graphics. The advent of color screens was a real development. They allowed users to enjoy vivid and rich images. And in recent years we have seen the emergence of OLED screens. They are characterized by high contrast, wide viewing angles and low power consumption.

Processors should not be forgotten. The first cell phones had simple processors that could only perform basic functions. At that time, users could only run simple games and applications. With the advancement of technology, processors became more powerful and energy efficient. The advent of multi-core processors made it possible to run complex programs. Only then did cell phones become real pocket computers.

What now?

Cell phones and then smartphones have changed the way we get information. We can now access news, articles and other sources of information anytime, anywhere. Cameras have gotten better, processors have gotten more powerful, and the user experience has improved dramatically. However, the impact of cell phones on society has not always been positive. Phone addiction, cyberbullying, and the spread of fake news are just some of the problems we face. And today, with the advancement of technology, it is important not to let the negative impact worsen.