A brief history of mobile telephony: the story of phones and cars

Although mobile telephony has often been heralded as a revolutionary and ground-breaking technology, a glance at its historical roots suggests a gradual evolution. In particular, the synergies between travel, mobility, communication and telephony provide valuable insights into the development and current uses of mobile phones. A paucity of research has attempted to document the interrelated stories of vehicles and telephony, yet an exploration of their histories provides us with a more complete understanding of the relationships between transport and (wireless) communication. This article explores the links by focusing on the interweaving social and technical developments of these two technologies of mobility, in turn informing current debates surrounding the use of mobiles while driving.