Object and infrastructure
Six chapters, one connected system.
Read in sequence or enter at any turning point. Each chapter distinguishes a technical milestone from the slower work of making it practical, affordable and widely available.
1870s–1880s
Voice becomes current
Experiments, patents and the first practical speech instruments.
Read →1878–1960sSwitching the network
Operators, exchanges, dialling and the path toward automatic connection.
Read →1910s–1980sThe telephone at home
Standardized sets, rotary signalling and a new domestic habit.
Read →1940s–1990sThe cellular handset
Radio telephones, cellular architecture and commercial handhelds.
Read →1991–todayThe SIM card
Portable subscriber identity from full-size card to eSIM.
Read →1990s–todayThe smartphone platform
How data, software and sensors redefined what a phone is.
Read →