The Cellphones Of The 1980s – The 1980s stand out in the vivid fabric of history as a decade of dramatic change, a time when the globe appeared to speed at a dizzying rate into the digital age. While much of the world was caught up in the frenzy of technological transformation, South Africa found itself navigating a unique path through the complex sociopolitical landscape of the time. Apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, exacerbated the country’s internal turmoil and international isolation. Despite this turbulent environment, the advent of mobile communication emerged as a symbol of progress and connectivity, breaking down barriers and reshaping societal norms.
In terms of telecommunications, the 1980s were a watershed era for South Africa as it adopted the revolutionary concept of mobile phones. While the rest of the globe was already experiencing the dawn of this digital era, South Africa’s Road to mobile connectivity occurred against a backdrop of political conflict and technological innovation.
Vodafone UK recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of the first mobile phone call, which occurred on January 1, 1985, by publishing a list of its early consumer phone services. Among them was the VM1, a large 1985 model weighing 4.9kg. It cost £1,475, or £4,141 adjusted for inflation, and was only intended for use in a car. The main device was mounted in the car’s trunk or back shelf, while the phone was placed on the dashboard or armrest. In this article, we’ll look at everything in between.
Who Invented the First Phone in the 1980s
The first mobile phone was invented in the mid-20th century, not the 1980s. In 1973, Martin Cooper, a Motorola engineer, made the first handheld mobile phone call on a prototype device he created. This incident signaled the start of the mobile telephony revolution. Cooper’s phone was much larger and heavier than modern handsets, but it lay the groundwork for the creation of portable cell phones, which became common in the 1980s and beyond.
Who Invented The First Phone In South Africa In The 1980s
Mobile phone networks and devices were first introduced worldwide in the 1980s, including in South Africa. However, attributing the invention of the first mobile phone in South Africa during that period is difficult. In 1984, Telkom established the country’s first cellular network, the AutoPak system, which allowed for limited mobile communication. Rather than a single invention, South African mobile phone technology during this time was the result of teamwork and breakthroughs in the telecom industry.
What Was The First Cell Phone In South Africa?
South Africa receives its first cellphones in 1994, with Vodacom setting the standard! Motorola’s StarTAC is the first widely used mobile phone, having sold 60 million units by 1996. It was the first phone to feature a clamshell or flip design. This was also the year the Nokia Communicator was introduced to the market.
What Cell Phones Were Available In 1985?
The Motorola Dynatac 800X, known in the industry as “the brick” and featured in many scenes of the 1987 film Wall Street, was the first handheld mobile phone and signaled the start of a new era.
A List Of Cellphones In The 1980s
During the 1980s, the mobile phone market was still in its early stages, and the gadgets offered were far from the sleek smartphones we know today. Early mobile phones in South Africa, like those in other areas of the world, were mostly analog and typically hefty. While I cannot provide an entire list, here are some examples of mobile phones that were available at the time:
- The Motorola DynaTAC series, which included variants such as the DynaTAC 8000X, was among the first commercially available handheld mobile phones. These gadgets were huge and heavy, with a brick-like body and a retractable antenna.
- Nokia Mobira series: In the 1980s, Nokia launched its Mobira series of mobile phones, which included models such as the Mobira Senator and the Mobira Cityman. These phones were usually installed in vehicles and had limited portability.
- Ericsson Mobitel: In the 1980s, Ericsson, now Sony Ericsson, released the Mobitel line of mobile phones. These were mostly automobile phones, which were frequently fitted in the vehicle’s cabin.
- Panasonic Handheld Cellular Phone: In the 1980s, Panasonic introduced handheld cellular phones to the market. While not as popular as some other companies, Panasonic did provide a variety of models at the time.
- Siemens Car Phone: Siemens, a German telecommunications corporation, also made car phones available in South Africa in the 1980s.