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.
MOBILE PHONES. WE take them for granted, don’t we? Chatting away. Arranging our social lives. Airing our petty grievances to a busload of fellow commuters.
But there was a time when things weren’t so easy.
When to use a mobile phone, you had to carry a battery pack approximately the size of a small child. And to buy a mobile phone, you had to refinance several city-centre apartment blocks.
This US ad for a Radio Shack cellphone in 1989 – costing $799, the equivalent of almost $1,500 today – surfaced on YouTube this year. And look! Here’s where you can talk!
1. On the beach
Yes, that hat says ‘Lifeguard’. No, there’s no way a lifeguard could afford this phone.
2. At the construction site
I NEED BIGGER GIRDERS TO HOLD THIS PHONE.
Advertisement
3. On the street
No more boring entering buildings just to use a phone!
4. On your speedboat
HELLO? YEAH, I’M ON MY SPEEDBOAT.
5. At somebody else’s wedding
OK, this is just rude. Like, the bride is right behind her.
6. In the car
Once you’ve wrestled it from your husband’s grasp.
7. On the beach, even if you’re a girl
But you might need to get your friend to carry the giant briefcase thing for you.
Wednesday 27 November, 2024
Wednesday 27 November, 2024
Download our app
VIDEO: What mobile phones were like in 1989 – and 8 places to use them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXcImcc3RDw
YouTube/Crommy5
MOBILE PHONES. WE take them for granted, don’t we? Chatting away. Arranging our social lives. Airing our petty grievances to a busload of fellow commuters.
But there was a time when things weren’t so easy.
When to use a mobile phone, you had to carry a battery pack approximately the size of a small child. And to buy a mobile phone, you had to refinance several city-centre apartment blocks.
This US ad for a Radio Shack cellphone in 1989 – costing $799, the equivalent of almost $1,500 today – surfaced on YouTube this year. And look! Here’s where you can talk!
1. On the beach
Yes, that hat says ‘Lifeguard’. No, there’s no way a lifeguard could afford this phone.
2. At the construction site
I NEED BIGGER GIRDERS TO HOLD THIS PHONE.
3. On the street
No more boring entering buildings just to use a phone!
4. On your speedboat
HELLO? YEAH, I’M ON MY SPEEDBOAT.
5. At somebody else’s wedding
OK, this is just rude. Like, the bride is right behind her.
6. In the car
Once you’ve wrestled it from your husband’s grasp.
7. On the beach, even if you’re a girl
But you might need to get your friend to carry the giant briefcase thing for you.
8. At the scout camp
Um. We don’t know.
Read: 9 things that used to be free… but aren’t now>
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
1989 Beach cellphone Commuters lifeguard Mobile Phone Mobile Phones old advert radio shack retro retro ad Revolutionary Smartphones