This site uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising.
By continuing to browse, you agree to the use of cookies described in our Cookies Policy.
You may change your settings at any time but this may impact on the functionality of the site.
To learn more see our Cookies Policy.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Monday 23 December, 2024
Monday 23 December, 2024
Download our app
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>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
late late RTE Archives Text textel Texting