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The Motorola DynaTAC 8000Xwas the first commercially available handheld cell phone, launched in 1983, following the first public call from a prototype DynaTAC by Martin Cooper in 1973. Often called “the brick phone” due to its large size, the DynaTAC 8000X offered limited talk time and required a lengthy charge but revolutionized personal mobile communication.
Key Details:
- Inventor: Martin Cooper, a Motorola engineer.
- First Call: Cooper made the first call from a prototype in 1973 on a Manhattan street.
- Commercial Launch: The Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was released 10 years later, in 1983.
- Appearance & Functionality: It was a large, heavy device, roughly the size of a brick, and primarily used for voice calls.
- Limitations: A full charge took about 10 hours and provided approximately 30 minutes of talk time.
- Cost: The phone was very expensive, costing around $4,000 at its release.
Historical Significance:
The DynaTAC 8000X was a groundbreaking device because it was the first handheld cellular phone available to the public. Before its introduction, mobile phones were mostly limited to car installations, marking a significant shift toward truly portable communication.