io9
All those vintage "How We'll Live In The Future" articles rarely mentioned anything that could be construed as a cell phone. Microwave ovens, yes; online shopping, yes—but not the now ubiquitous cell phone. This 1960 ad for Radiation, Incorporated (yes, they've changed their name since then) is an exception—and it touches on GPS technology, too. Click through for a closer look at "The New Age of Communication."
In case you can't read the small print, here's the money shot:
Today's telephone system, solid state devices, miniaturization, and the new science of space rocketry and communication will be melded together so that no one wearing his telephone can ever become lost in the woods.Unless, of course, s/he forgot to put it on the charger last night.
Comments
Space rocket phone? Finally, something better than an iPhone.
Vaporware.
Best line out of context: "Radiation is playing an important role in these developments..."
I work for radiation...now known as Harris ...the funny thing is we still have some test equempent laying around with the radiation logo spray painted on in birhgt orange
Hey, my dad worked for Radiation in 1960! I remember being very confused by the company's name. I still have some old snapshots of a company picnic from around that time, notable for lack of consumer products--it was all blankets and picnic baskets--no folding tables or chairs, portable grills, or anything else. Lots of men in bermuda shorts wearing black socks.
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