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First telephone connection
Alexander Graham Bell discovers the idea of the telephone. He tested the idea with Thomas Watson to create the first telephone connection. -
First telephone wire strung
The first telephone wire is strung. Commercial telephone service began in the United States. -
Greater distances for the telephone
Oliver Lodge demonstrates wireless communication over 150 yards. -
Telephone use spreads across the US.
Bell System completes a U.S. transcontinental telephone line. This made everyone able to communicate across the United States. -
No more rotary phones.
Bell Systems introduces the touch-tone phone. This telephone made a different beep for each number instead of counting clicks for each number and replaced rotary phones. -
First cell phone invented
Martin Cooper is credited with developing the first cell phone, later approved for commercial news. -
Pocket phone released
A “Pocket” cellular telephone is introduced by Motorola. -
The all in one phone.
The IBM Simon is released and considered the first smartphone. It acted as a mobile phone, PDA, and fax machine all in one. -
Faster telephones
Cell phone companies strive to make their mobile phone models lighter, faster, and cheaper. -
Blackberry 850
Research in Motion introduces the Blackberry 850 -
The first iPhone
Apple launched its first iPhone, which integrated a touchscreen display with the best web-browsing experience yet offered on a mobile device. Years later, it is still the device to which all other smartphones are compared. -
First Android
Motorola introduces the first Android-based smartphone, and it sold over 1 million units within 74 days.