Who invented the Smartphone?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Who Smarted?" Episode – "Who Invented the Smartphone?"

Release Date: January 10, 2025

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Introduction to Smartphones

In this engaging episode of "Who Smarted?", hosted by Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media, listeners embark on a fascinating journey through the history and evolution of communication devices, leading up to the invention of the smartphone. The episode cleverly personifies technology with characters like Smartyphone and Telephone, making complex technological advancements accessible and entertaining for young audiences.

The Origins of the Telephone

The discussion begins with a nostalgic look at the telephone, Telephone character explains its basic functionality:

Telephone [04:09]: "I use wires to send sound. My handset and base are connected to each other by a cord."

The host elaborates on the etymology of "telephone," breaking down the Greek roots:

Host [03:48]: "Tel comes from the Greek word for far, and phone means sound. In other words, telephone is literally far sound."

Highlighting Alexander Graham Bell’s pivotal role, the episode recounts his historic 1876 achievement:

Host [05:13]: "Alexander Graham Bell is usually credited with inventing the telephone. In 1876, he sent the first words by telephone, which were a message to Mr. Watson, 'come here, I want you.'"

Transition to Cell Phones

As the episode progresses, Telephone and Smartyphone delve into the transition from traditional landlines to cell phones. Telephone discusses the innovation of cordless phones and the subsequent rise of mobile technology:

Telephone [06:16]: "The cordless phone was a game changer. Imagine being able to walk around your entire house talking on the phone."

Smartyphone provides a clear definition of cell phones:

Smartyphone [07:16]: "A portable telephone that can make or receive calls and texts."

The hosts highlight significant milestones, such as the first cell phone call made by Martin Cooper in 1973 and the commercial release of the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X in 1983:

Host [08:09]: "The first cell phone call was made on April 3, 1973, by Martin Cooper."

Discussing the hefty cost and weight of early cell phones, the host adds:

Host [08:48]: "It cost $4,000 and weighed 2.4 pounds."

Emergence of Smartphones

The conversation seamlessly transitions to smartphones, with Smartyphone emphasizing their advanced capabilities beyond traditional cell phones:

Smartyphone [14:34]: "Smartphones have the same features as a cell phone, but we can also be used as a computer. We can send and receive emails, take and share pictures and videos..."

The host poses a critical question distinguishing smartphones from cell phones:

Host [10:23]: "What's the difference between a smartphone and a cell phone?"

Smartyphone elaborates on the multifunctionality of smartphones, highlighting features like apps, internet connectivity, and multimedia capabilities.

Technological Advancements and Future Trends

Delving deeper, Smartyphone explains the technological backbone of smartphones:

Smartyphone [15:08]: "Smartphones are powered by batteries. We use the battery's power to do everything you want us to do."

The episode explores future innovations, such as foldable smartphones and screen-only designs, hinting at the continual evolution of mobile technology:

Smartyphone [17:22]: "Some people think foldable smartphones will become popular, since they allow smartphones to have more in common with our good friends the tablet."

Health and Social Implications

Addressing the societal impact, the hosts discuss nomophobia—the fear of being without one's phone—and highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy balance with technology use:

Host [15:55]: "Some people even suffer from nomophobia."

Furthermore, the episode touches on the hygienic concerns associated with frequent phone use:

Host [16:16]: "Cell phones are believed to have 18 times more bacteria than a toilet handle."

Smartyphone reinforces the message of responsible usage:

Smartyphone [16:45]: "It's important to balance screen time with other parts of your life."

Conclusion and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, there’s a reflective moment where Smartyphone acknowledges the foundational role of earlier technologies in its own existence:

Smartyphone [17:52]: "But I couldn't have done it without the phones that came before me."

Telephone offers a heartfelt sentiment, bridging past and present:

Telephone [18:19]: "Aw, thanks, smartyphone. You know, you're not so bad yourself."

The episode concludes with a heartwarming exchange, reinforcing the intergenerational impact of technological advancements and setting the stage for future explorations in upcoming episodes.

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Key Takeaways

• Historical Evolution: The podcast effectively traces the evolution from the traditional telephone to modern smartphones, highlighting key inventions and milestones.
• Educational and Entertaining: By personifying technology through characters like Smartyphone and Telephone, the episode makes learning about technological advancements fun and relatable for kids.
• Responsible Technology Use: Emphasizes the importance of balancing screen time and maintaining hygiene, addressing both the benefits and challenges of smartphone usage.
• Future Innovations: Provides insights into potential future trends in smartphone technology, keeping young listeners curious and informed.

"Who Smarted?" successfully combines humor, storytelling, and factual information to create an informative and enjoyable listening experience for children and families, fostering a deeper understanding of the technologies that shape our lives.

Transcript

[Host]

Hey, smarty pants. See if you can guess what I'm holding right now. Ready? It's small enough to easily fit in one hand, but has more computing power than the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle. You know, just the first crewed vehicle to land on the moon.

[Smartyphone]

Roger that. Proceed with mission.

[Host]

Can you guess what it is? Did you say a smartphone?

[Smartyphone]

If so, you're right. Congratulations.

[Host]

Wait, you're not Siri. How is my smartphone talking to me?

[Smartyphone]

Because I'm smarter than a smartphone. I'm a smartyphone.

[Host]

Ah, of course. What else would you expect a trusty narrator to have?

[Smartyphone]

And since everyone listening is a smarty pants, I think we're gonna get along. Great show of hands. How many of you use me to make phone calls, send text messages, play games on apps, watch videos, FaceTime, Grandma and Grandpa, listen to music, or your favorite podcast?

[Telephone]

Too smart Ed.

[Smartyphone]

And if you're too young to have or use a smartphone, I bet the adults in your life do. And while it's true I have more computing power than the module used to land on the moon in 1969, I still have a lot of untapped potential.

[Host]

That's true, smartyphone. But before we talk about the future, let's first discover the past. How and why were smartphones invented? What came before smartphones? And just what makes them so smart? It's time for another whiff of science and history on how smarted.

[Telephone]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science? Or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smart?

[Host]

And.

[Sponsor]

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[Host]

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[Sponsor]

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[Host]

Before the smartphone, there was simply the telephone.

[Smartyphone]

Ah, my ancient ancestor.

[Telephone]

Oh, hey, whoa, whoa. Hold on. I wouldn't exactly say ancient. People were still using telephones like me in the early 2000s.

[Smartyphone]

That's like 20 years ago. Sounds ancient to me, but whatev.

[Host]

What is ancient are the Greek words that make up the name telephone. Tel comes from the Greek word for far, and phone means sound. In other words, telephone is literally far. Sound.

[Telephone]

Makes sense. You use telephones to communicate over distance.

[Host]

How exactly does a telephone work?

[Telephone]

Easy. I use wires to send sound. My handset and bass are connected to each other by a cord. The handset is the part you hold when you talk to someone. One end of the handset has a microphone for talking. The other end has a speaker for listening. The base, which is attached to a wall or sits on a table, connects to an electrical current through a wire.

[Host]

But how does the sound travel through the telephone?

[Telephone]

When you talk on the telephone, the microphone changes the sound of your voice into an electric signal. The bass sends out the signal through its wire. The signal can stay as an electric current and go through wires and cables. Or it could be changed into radio waves and go through the air by way of antennas and satellites. When the signal reaches another telephone, it changes back to the sound of your voice. Pretty cool, huh?

[Host]

Telephones like this have been around for a long time. Alexander Graham Bell is usually credited with inventing the telephone. In 1876, he sent the first words by telephone, which were a message to.

[Telephone]

His assistant, Mr. Watson, come here. I want you.

[Smartyphone]

Okay, I think we can all agree that 1876 is definitely ancient.

[Telephone]

Oh, brother. Thanks to me, you're able to exist.

[Smartyphone]

True. Of course, the telephone was only able to send and receive voice messages. No texts, no photos, no games. That's where I come in.

[Host]

Whoa, whoa. Not yet, Smartyphone. While Graham Bell's telephone changed communication, it went through many changes over the years. Before we get to you, one of the earliest big changes to the phone was the invention of what, smarty pants? Is it A, the cordless telephone, B, caller ID or C, Angry Birds?

[Telephone]

While caller ID was a cool feature which allowed you to see the phone number of the person calling you. The cordless phone. Now that was a game changer. Imagine being able to walk around your entire house talking on the phone.

[Smartyphone]

Just your house. You can take me anywhere that's coming.

[Host]

While cordless phones were much more Convenient than phones with cords. People eventually needed to make and receive phone calls outside their house, which meant the invention of the cell phone. But what does cell phone mean? Is it A, a portable telephone that can make and receive calls and text messages, B, a phone you can only see with a microscope, or C, a phone you'd like someone to buy from you? If you said B, you were probably thinking of microscopic cells that make up living matter. The answer is A, a portable telephone that can make or receive calls and texts.

[Telephone]

You see, cell phones make and receive phone calls and text messages by using a radio frequency. It's called a cell phone because the areas that receive those radio frequencies are broken up into cells or parts. Each cell has a tower for receiving and sending out radio waves. If you travel from one cell to another, your cell will switch from tower to tower, and that goes across the entire country. That's why it's also called a mobile phone.

[Smartyphone]

Cell phones are definitely cool and less ancient, but they're still not as smart as me.

[Host]

Actually, Smartyphone, you might be surprised. Smartypants. When was the first cell phone call made? Was it the 1980s, the 1990s, the 2000s, or the 1970s?

[Advertiser]

Believe it or not, the first cell.

[Host]

Phone call was made on April 3, 1973, by Martin Cooper.

[Smartyphone]

Wait, the cell phone was around in 1973?

[Host]

Well, yes and no.

[Telephone]

Huh?

[Host]

While the first cell phone call was made in 1973, it would take 10 years for the first cell phone to be available for people to buy. In 1983, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was released. Smarty pants, how much do you think this cell phone cost? Was it $800, $4,000 or $10,000?

[Smartyphone]

Yikes. Either way, it was expensive.

[Host]

It sure was. If you said $4,000, you're right. You might also be surprised how much this phone weighed. The Motorola DynaTac weighed 2.4 pounds.

[Smartyphone]

2.4 pounds? That's what a quart of milk weighs.

[Host]

Yeah, it certainly wasn't fun or easy to carry in your pocket. Thankfully, cell phones became lighter over the years. Cell phone designs also changed over time. This included space for memory cards, flip screens, cameras, touch screens, and USB ports. Modern cell phones use a technology called Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to other devices. Smarty pants, any idea who Bluetooth is named after? Is it A, the inventor of Bluetooth technology, B, the king of Denmark and Norway during the 10th century, or C, a type of shark? While a bluetooth shark sounds pretty cool, the technology is actually named after the king of Denmark and Norway during the 10th century. King Harald Bluetooth Gormsoe united the tribes of denmark in the 10th century. Just like Bluetooth, technology unites different technology devices.

[Smartyphone]

Wow, that's pretty cool. But when are we going to talk about smartphones or smartyphones like me?

[Host]

Right now. While it may seem hard to remember a time without smartphones, they're a relatively new invention. When did the first fully realized smartphone become available?

[Smartyphone]

Smartphones have been around since 2007, and we've only grown in popularity since then.

[Host]

But here's the big question. Smarty Pants and Smartyphone. What's the difference between a smartphone and a cell phone?

[Smartyphone]

Ooh. Ooh, I know.

[Host]

Of course you do, Smartyphone. And the Smartypants will know too, right after this quick break.

[Advertiser]

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[Sponsor]

Parents, let's be real. The post holiday Sugar Crash is no joke. Christmas cookies had my family's kids bouncing off the walls one moment, crashing the next. We needed a reset. But finding healthy snacks kids love that is a struggle. So I shared one of my favorite new WHO Smarted sponsors Thrive Market. Thrive's Healthy Swap Scanner is a lifesaver. Just scan the package of your kids favorite snacks like sugary cookies or salty chips and the scanner suggests cleaner, healthier options instantly. Now, instead of sugar bombs, my extended family is loving simple mills, crackers, chomps, beef sticks and lesser evil popcorn. The kids are thrilled and the adults love that they're off the sugar roller coaster. Whether it's low sugar, organic snacks for lunchboxes or after school bites, Thrive has us covered. Plus everything gets delivered right to your door. That is why I am so happy that Thrive sponsors who Smarted, helping us keep making the show that you love. Ready to reset with healthy snacks? Go to thrivemarket.com smarted for 30% off and a free $60 gift. That's Thrive Market.

[Host]

Now back to who Smarted? So what's the difference between a cell phone and a smartphone?

[Smartyphone]

Smartphones have the same features as a cell phone, but we can also be used as a computer. We can send and receive emails, take and share pictures and videos. We've got a calculator, flashlight, alarm clock, calendar, map and compass. We can go online, download apps, play games, do video chats, take notes. And we can do all of this at fast speeds.

[Host]

Yep, smartphones are pretty smart. But how do smartphones have the power to do so many things? Any guesses? Smartypants?

[Smartyphone]

For starters, smartphones are powered by batteries. We use the battery's power to do everything you want us to do. But if you forget to charge us.

[Host]

Smartphones become slower and even turn themselves off when their battery becomes low. So always remember your charger.

[Smartyphone]

Smartyphones need energy just like Smarty pants need sleep.

[Host]

Hey Smarty Pants, if you use a smartphone, what's your favorite thing to do with it? Besides Listening to smartants, I'm hearing a lot of people say games and apps, but what is an app?

[Smartyphone]

App is a nickname for mobile application. That's a piece of software designed to run on mobile devices. Most games can be downloaded as apps.

[Host]

Since a smartphone can be used for so many things, many people love having their smartphones with them at all times. Some people even suffer from nomophobia. Can you guess what that is, smarty pants?

[Smartyphone]

It's the fear of being without your phone. As in, no mobile phone phobia. That's pretty scary.

[Host]

Well, here's something even scarier. Cell phones are believed to have 18 times more bacteria than a toilet handle.

[Smartyphone]

Ew.

[Host]

So, smartypants, be sure to remind anyone you know who has a phone to clean it and stop bringing it to the bathroom.

[Smartyphone]

They can't help it. They've got nomophobia.

[Host]

You're right. People are pretty attached to their cell phones. But that doesn't mean they should take over your life.

[Smartyphone]

I agree. As good as we smartphones are, you can have too much of a good thing. It's important to balance screen time with other parts of your life. Reaching the next level in your favorite game is fun, but you should also take time to go outside and connect with friends and family without a screen. Try putting the phone down during meals, family time, and conversations so you're present in the moment and not distracted.

[Host]

Great tips. You really are a smartyphone.

[Smartyphone]

Yep, but if you think I'm smart now, just wait. Smartphones just keep getting smarter and smarter.

[Host]

Really? How so?

[Smartyphone]

For one thing, we can send and receive data faster than ever. Especially compared to those ancient cell phones.

[Telephone]

Hey, hey, I'm not ancient. Besides, there's nothing wrong with taking your time. Back in my day, things moved slower.

[Smartyphone]

Yeah, well, times have changed. Everyone wants information faster. We have a need for speed.

[Host]

So what's the next step for smartphones?

[Smartyphone]

Some people think foldable smartphones will become popular, since they allow smartphones to have more in common with our good friends the tablet.

[Host]

Ooh.

[Smartyphone]

People also think we'll have smartphones that only have screens instead of using ports or buttons. But whatever happens in the future, I'm excited to be such a big part of changing communication. But I couldn't have done it without the phones that came before me.

[Telephone]

Aw, thanks, smartyphone. You know, you're not so bad yourself.

[Smartyphone]

What's that?

[Host]

It's my landline. My mom still calls me on it. Hello?

[Smartyphone]

Oh, hi, son. I just made the most delicious meat cake. Let me tell you all about it.

[Host]

A big shout out to Smarty Fan Dash in Seattle, Washington. We're so glad you love listening to who Smarted before bed. We promise we'll do an episode on teleporting soon. This episode, Smartphones, was written by Sarah Sweetick and voiced by Sarah Sweetick, Adam, Tex Davis and Jerry Colber. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Razor Hahn. Who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max sidekick Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Siri Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Textavis, who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Text Davis and Jerry Colber. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.

[Telephone]

Who Smarted.