First Cell Phone Brand

Apple, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, HTC, Samsung, Research in Motion (RIM)... the list of cell phone brands in the market as of today is pretty lengthy. While most of us are familiar with these brands, do you know which was the first brand to make it to the market?

Going by the history, the distinction of being the first cell phone invented goes to DynaTAC 8000X which was introduced back in 1983.

Even though, DynaTAC 8000X, weighing an enormous 2 lbs and priced at $3,995, was not even close to the numerous options that we have today, people flocked to buy it with the same enthusiasm that people show when they rush to buy an iPhone or iPad nowadays.

Back in the 1970s, a war was waged between the two major companies - Motorola and Bell Labs (a research and development subsidiary of AT&T back then), to come up with the first portable mobile phone or cell phone. At the end of the day, Motorola emerged as the winner with the introduction of Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, which made it the first cell phone brand of the world. This mobile handset was also the first handset to receive US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) acceptance. It was widely popularized by the teen sitcom 'Saved by the Bell' in the late 80s and early 90s.

The DynaTAC 8000X was a simple handset which only facilitated conversation. The noteworthy features of this bulky handset were a one line display, a numeric keypad and a battery life of half an hour.

While many people may feel that this model doesn't even deserve to be called a cell phone, one has to take into consideration the fact that the year was 1983 (it was made commercially available only in 1985 though) - a period when the concept of smartphone was not even heard of.

Though scores of people were keen on buying this device back then, the exorbitant price tag of $3,995 put it beyond the reach of most of these people.

Motorola hastened its efforts of introducing a portable cell phone in December 1972, as the Federal Communications Commission was contemplating the idea of allowing AT&T to set up wireless network and AT&T itself was contemplating the idea of introducing a wireless cell phone. Even though the efforts were hastened, it was only in 1983 that the first mobile phone was invented in the form of DynaTAC 8000X. A large part of the credit of making Motorola the world's first brand goes to the inventor of this model - Martin Cooper, along with its lead designer - Rudy Krolopp and the communications' division head for - John Mitchell.

While the first model was named DynaTAC 8000X, Motorola launched a series of cell phones under the name DynaTAC - which was an abbreviation of Dynamic Adaptive Total Area Coverage, between 1984 and 1994. The DynaTAC series became the first line of cell phones to be produced on a commercial scale by Motorola. Over the course of time, the company achieved several other milestones in wireless technology.

Bulky cell phones have been replaced by sleek, trendy models today, while one line displays have become history with advanced touchscreen displays replacing them. Their use is no more restricted to conversation now, but has gone way beyond this lone feature that these devices boasted of in 1980s.

All these things hint at one fact, we have come a long way in terms of technological advancement. But does that mean we will forget Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, Martin Cooper, or Rudy Krolopp?

The device, along with these names, has carved a niche for itself in the history of cell phones, and there is no doubt about the fact that we will continue to talk about this revolutionary device throughout the eternity.