Advertisement
Dublin: 11 °C Saturday 2 November, 2024

VIDEO: What mobile phones were like in 1989 – and 8 places to use them

According to this advert for a suitcase-sized mobile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXcImcc3RDw

YouTube/Crommy5

MOBILE PHONES. WE take them for granted, don’t we? Chatting away. Arranging our social lives. Airing our petty grievances to a busload of fellow commuters.

But there was a time when things weren’t so easy.

When to use a mobile phone, you had to carry a battery pack approximately the size of a small child. And to buy a mobile phone, you had to refinance several city-centre apartment blocks.

This US ad for a Radio Shack cellphone in 1989 – costing $799, the equivalent of almost $1,500 today – surfaced on YouTube this year. And look! Here’s where you can talk!

1. On the beach

Yes, that hat says ‘Lifeguard’. No, there’s no way a lifeguard could afford this phone.

2. At the construction site

I NEED BIGGER GIRDERS TO HOLD THIS PHONE.

3. On the street

No more boring entering buildings just to use a phone!

4. On your speedboat

HELLO? YEAH, I’M ON MY SPEEDBOAT.

5. At somebody else’s wedding

OK, this is just rude. Like, the bride is right behind her.

6. In the car

Once you’ve wrestled it from your husband’s grasp.

7. On the beach, even if you’re a girl

But you might need to get your friend to carry the giant briefcase thing for you.

8. At the scout camp

Um. We don’t know.

Read: 9 things that used to be free… but aren’t now>

Author
Michael Freeman
View 25 comments
Close
25 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.