The TelephoneThe TelephoneMcLuhan says: Reach out and touch McLuhan says: Reach out and touch

someone.someone.

An outlineAn outlineA brief social history of the telephoneA brief social history of the telephone

From a technological perspectiveFrom a technological perspective

Factors influencing the adoption of the Factors influencing the adoption of the telephonetelephone

The evolution of the telephone in North The evolution of the telephone in North America: A timelineAmerica: A timeline

Sustaining technology? The new telephone as Sustaining technology? The new telephone as mini-computer & txting technologymini-computer & txting technology

The medium is the message: My cell phone is The medium is the message: My cell phone is my lifemy life

A brief social A brief social historyhistory

The “invention” of the telephone The “invention” of the telephone

Key people and patentsKey people and patents

Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell

If you build it, they will use it?If you build it, they will use it?

Only for businesses & the rich?Only for businesses & the rich?

The reluctant consumerThe reluctant consumer Alexander Graham Bell, Inventor

A brief social A brief social historyhistory

The rise of the market systemThe rise of the market system

Legends & lawsuitsLegends & lawsuits

How the telephone was usedHow the telephone was used

The reluctant consumerThe reluctant consumer

Businesses Businesses

The wealthy The wealthy

What was then is also nowWhat was then is also now

SwitchingSwitching

DirectoriesDirectories

Technological Technological perspectiveperspective

What technology influenced the development What technology influenced the development of the telephone?of the telephone?

What technology made it easier to produce What technology made it easier to produce telephones for the masses?telephones for the masses?

Evolution of the Evolution of the telephonetelephone

1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone.1876 - Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone.

1900 - Telephone transmission extends across and 1900 - Telephone transmission extends across and between major cities.between major cities.

1915 - A. G. Bell makes the first transcontinental 1915 - A. G. Bell makes the first transcontinental telephone call to Thomas Watson (New York to San telephone call to Thomas Watson (New York to San Francisco).Francisco).

1919 - Rotary–dial telephones are available making it 1919 - Rotary–dial telephones are available making it easier for people to make calls without an operator.easier for people to make calls without an operator.

1920 - Frequency multiplexing concept allows multiple 1920 - Frequency multiplexing concept allows multiple telephone calls to occur at the same time. telephone calls to occur at the same time.

1962 – TelStar, first telephone satellite, launched by Bell 1962 – TelStar, first telephone satellite, launched by Bell and NASA. Satellites could be used for long distance and NASA. Satellites could be used for long distance calls without the need for laying cable.calls without the need for laying cable.

1963 - Touch-tone telephone is introduced.1963 - Touch-tone telephone is introduced.

1973 - First portable cell phone call is made 1973 - First portable cell phone call is made between Martin Cooper of Motorola to Joel between Martin Cooper of Motorola to Joel Engel of Bell Labs.Engel of Bell Labs.

1977 – Fibre optic cables are used allowing 1977 – Fibre optic cables are used allowing high volume of calls.high volume of calls.

Mid 1990s - Voice Over Internet Protocols Mid 1990s - Voice Over Internet Protocols becomes available.becomes available.

2000 - 100 million cellular telephone 2000 - 100 million cellular telephone subscribers in US.subscribers in US.

2005 – Over 2 billion cell phone usagers 2005 – Over 2 billion cell phone usagers worldwide.worldwide.

2007 – 94.9% telephone subscribership 2007 – 94.9% telephone subscribership penetration rate in the US.penetration rate in the US.

The medium is the The medium is the messagemessage

The txt message isn’t the messageThe txt message isn’t the message

Cell phones & the technology of Cell phones & the technology of revolt (Obama’s VP announcement)revolt (Obama’s VP announcement)

Graff: Cell phones are the most Graff: Cell phones are the most intimate form of communications intimate form of communications todaytoday

What is the social effect of the cellular What is the social effect of the cellular telephone as a medium?telephone as a medium?

Extending one’s presence at a Extending one’s presence at a distancedistance

Housing memories, extending Housing memories, extending mobility & organizing information mobility & organizing information

The medium is the The medium is the messagemessage

Obsolescing mediaObsolescing media

Cell phones make point-to-point communication Cell phones make point-to-point communication possible - death of the letter, the fax, the car?possible - death of the letter, the fax, the car?

Reversing the original messageReversing the original message

Accessibility… or interrupting Accessibility… or interrupting communication/conversation? communication/conversation?

Freedom from desk… or tying our desks to us 24/7?Freedom from desk… or tying our desks to us 24/7?

Connecting people… or enabling the remote & Connecting people… or enabling the remote & distant?distant?

Works to referenceWorks to referenceHerbert Newton, C (1910) The history of the telephone. Herbert Newton, C (1910) The history of the telephone.

Chicago: A.C. McClurg & C0.Chicago: A.C. McClurg & C0.

Marco. A. (producer & Presenter). (2007, September 27). 505 Marco. A. (producer & Presenter). (2007, September 27). 505 Telephone, market, bureaucracy. [Podcast radio Telephone, market, bureaucracy. [Podcast radio programme]. Edmonton: University of Alberta. Retrieved programme]. Edmonton: University of Alberta. Retrieved September 21, 2008, fromSeptember 21, 2008, from http://madria.podcastspot.com/episodes/CC2A95