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# The Cell Phone Turns 40

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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/MxhokURv.m3u8" -->
## Video: The Cell Phone Turns 40

[Watch (HLS stream): The Cell Phone Turns 40](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/MxhokURv.m3u8) (0:49)

![The Cell Phone Turns 40](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/MxhokURv/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2013-04-03. A cumbersome luxury in 1973, cell phones have changed a lot in the past 40 years._


---

Jul 27, 2023 3:31 PM UTC

---

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---


## Transcript

Whether you have a dinosaur or the latest model, don't forget to wish your cellphone happy 40th birthday. On April 3rd 1973, Motorola's Mike Cooper placed the first cellphone call, gloating to his rivals at Bell Labs. The original cellphone behemoth just qualified as mobile, weighing in at a hefty 2. 5 pounds. As phones slimmed down, users shot up. 340, 000 people had phones in 1985. In 2010, it was more than 300 million users in over 200 countries according to CTIA, the wireless association. About three quarters of cell phone owners have taken pictures and texted on their phone. With cellphones becoming smaller and more powerful turning, 40 doesn't seem to be slowing them down.

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