In 1953, a Telephone-Company Executive Predicts the Rise of Modern Smartphones and Video Calls

[NurseJackie]

https://www.openculture.com/2022/01/in-1953-a-telephone-company-executive-predicts-the-rise-of-modern-smartphones-and-video-calls.html

In 1953, a Telephone-Company Executive Predicts the Rise of Modern Smartphones and Video Calls



We live in the age of the smartphone, which took more than a few of us by surprise. But in all human history, not a single piece of technology has actually come out of nowhere. Long before smartphones came on the market in the 2000s, those close to the telecommunications industry had a sense of what form its most widely used device would eventually take. “Here is my prophecy: In its final development, the telephone will be carried about by the individual, perhaps as we carry a watch today,” said Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company director Mark R. Sullivan in 1953. “It probably will require no dial or equivalent and I think the users will be able to see each other, if they want, as they talk. Who knows but it may actually translate from one language to another?”

Sullivan’s prescient-sounding words survive in the clipping of the Associated Press article seen at the top of the post. It’s worth remembering that the speech in question dates from a time when the rotary phone was the most advanced personal communication device in American households.

(SNIP ... MORE AT LINK)

[malaise]

1. Get thee to the greatest page

For visibility

[PCIntern]

2. Yes, absolutely, and to add to that:

Many many years ago I used to subscribe to Scientific American, and when the first integrated circuit chip was invented it was featured on the cover of the magazine, and the author of the review article wrote, and I’m paraphrasing, at this time we have no concept of the limitless capabilities of the microchip. And I believe if I remember correctly that he went on to say that manufacturing and miniaturization will give us untold benefits and that in the number of years we will not be able to recognize electronics.

He sure was right about that…

[Klaralven]

3. "CALLING DICK TRACY" WRIST WATCH RADIO - 1952

[mercuryblues]

5. I'm thinking of Maxwell Smart's shoe phone

[uponit7771]

4. K&R, we don't have flying cars but we do have devices with more computing power than computers

... twice their size even ten years ago.

That's a good thing, more people have access to information and computing now

[hunter]

6. Flying cars? No, Thank you. I've seen how people drive.

I don't want them overhead.

[Emile]

8. With drone technology I see flying cars in the near future.

No need for roads and bridges has great appeal.

[Klaralven]

9. After we go to electric and shut down the refineries, there won't be asphalt to pave roads

So flying is a good alternative.

[hunter]

7. I remember Pacific Bell. You could dial 611 and it would directly connect you to a living person...

... who knew how to restore your phone service, usually within a few hours.

Now it's AT&T and you talk to a computer that might or might not connect you to someone who knows what they are doing, usually within a few hours, and you might get your phone service restored within a few days.