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In 1984, this device was touted by Gay Byrne on The Late Late Show as the newest thing in telecommunications.
It was made by the Clare company Textel and would enable thousands of words of text to be transmitted across thousands of miles in a matter of minutes, using two telephones, small handheld devices and a mini printer.
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The RTÉ Archives crew have dug up the footage, which was recorded thirty years ago today. Uncle Gaybo and crew acted out the whole process, sending messages recorded on the device earlier that evening.
Saturday 23 November, 2024
Saturday 23 November, 2024
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Amazing texting technology showcased on the Late Late in 1984
WAY BEFORE THE days of text messaging, WhatsApp, email or snapchat, there was this:
In 1984, this device was touted by Gay Byrne on The Late Late Show as the newest thing in telecommunications.
It was made by the Clare company Textel and would enable thousands of words of text to be transmitted across thousands of miles in a matter of minutes, using two telephones, small handheld devices and a mini printer.
The RTÉ Archives crew have dug up the footage, which was recorded thirty years ago today. Uncle Gaybo and crew acted out the whole process, sending messages recorded on the device earlier that evening.
You can watch the whole demonstration here.
18 must-see gems from RTÉ’s huge archives>
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