"Mr. Watson - come here!"
In 1876, these words were the first to be uttered over a
telephone. [1] The world took
note of Alexander Graham Bell’s invention and was forever changed by it.
Soon enough, the public was entertained by the idea of transmitting images as well as sounds, giving rise to the concept of video calling. [2] AT&T experimented with this concept throughout the 20th century; as early as 1927, the company was able to transmit still images over a telephone line. An early prototype of the Picturephone was built in 1956, and by 1964 the “Mod 1”made its debut at New York’s World Fair, amidst much fanfare. AT&T’s first commercial Picturephone was released in 1970. [3] Despite high hopes, AT&T was not successful in developing a mainstream and viable system.
These early prototypes required special connections to operate over phone lines and they simply were “too expensive, the controls were too difficult to operate… and people just didn’t like being observed over the phone.” [2] It would take greater advances in technology for video calling dreams to be realized.
Soon enough, the public was entertained by the idea of transmitting images as well as sounds, giving rise to the concept of video calling. [2] AT&T experimented with this concept throughout the 20th century; as early as 1927, the company was able to transmit still images over a telephone line. An early prototype of the Picturephone was built in 1956, and by 1964 the “Mod 1”made its debut at New York’s World Fair, amidst much fanfare. AT&T’s first commercial Picturephone was released in 1970. [3] Despite high hopes, AT&T was not successful in developing a mainstream and viable system.
These early prototypes required special connections to operate over phone lines and they simply were “too expensive, the controls were too difficult to operate… and people just didn’t like being observed over the phone.” [2] It would take greater advances in technology for video calling dreams to be realized.
Technology Changes
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, telephone networks were improved
with the development of digital technologies. ISDN phone lines had greater
bandwidth than traditional phone lines, allowing for higher-quality video phone
systems to be developed. Many of the new devices (released by various companies
such as Sony, Mitsubishi, and AT&T) were still too expensive for consumers, however.
British Telecom, for example, sold its Presence for $4,000. [2]
Major innovations came in the late 1990s. Mobile phones and their larger networks began to support video calling features. The Internet was emerging in a revolutionary manner, and the world saw the invention of the webcam by a small company called Connectix. At only $99, many could afford their QuickCam, and “inventive users” combined all of these technologies to engage in the world’s first Internet video-chats. [2]
Major innovations came in the late 1990s. Mobile phones and their larger networks began to support video calling features. The Internet was emerging in a revolutionary manner, and the world saw the invention of the webcam by a small company called Connectix. At only $99, many could afford their QuickCam, and “inventive users” combined all of these technologies to engage in the world’s first Internet video-chats. [2]
"...It's here now."
Throughout the 2000s, video calling became increasingly
popular. However, the idea of video calling seemed to be largely viewed “as a
new communications paradigm separate from the traditional concept” of the
telephone. [2] Although
available, video calling has not entered the mainstream; rather, it has been an
alternative means of communication. The next generation of technology very well
may change that.
In 2010, Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. announced a new feature of the radically innovative iPhone 4: FaceTime video calling. The iPhone 4 is not the first “videosmartphone”, and Apple is not the first to develop video calling. Nevertheless, Jobs boldly declared “it’s real now” concerning video calling. Apple has a history of taking existing technologies and making them better and more consumer-friendly. Time will tell if Apple's FaceTime will accomplish that. [4]
In 2010, Steve Jobs of Apple, Inc. announced a new feature of the radically innovative iPhone 4: FaceTime video calling. The iPhone 4 is not the first “videosmartphone”, and Apple is not the first to develop video calling. Nevertheless, Jobs boldly declared “it’s real now” concerning video calling. Apple has a history of taking existing technologies and making them better and more consumer-friendly. Time will tell if Apple's FaceTime will accomplish that. [4]
'The Jetsons' - broadcast in 1962 - is one example of how the concept of video calling resonated with the public throughout history.
Photo Courtesy Technologizer.
Sources:
[1] United States Library of Congress. (2010). “Mr. Watson-come here!” In American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Reason Gallery A.
Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr002.html
[2] Edwards, Benj. (2010). “132 Years of the Videophone: From Futuristic Fantasy to Flops to FaceTime.” Technologizer. Retrieved from
http://technologizer.com/2010/06/14/videophones/
[3] AT&T Enterprise. (2011). Technology Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.corp.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/70picture.html
[4] Segan, Sascha. (2010). “iPHone 4’s FaceTime Video Calling Isn’t a First.” PC Magazine. Retrieved from
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364801,00.asp
[1] United States Library of Congress. (2010). “Mr. Watson-come here!” In American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Reason Gallery A.
Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trr002.html
[2] Edwards, Benj. (2010). “132 Years of the Videophone: From Futuristic Fantasy to Flops to FaceTime.” Technologizer. Retrieved from
http://technologizer.com/2010/06/14/videophones/
[3] AT&T Enterprise. (2011). Technology Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.corp.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/70picture.html
[4] Segan, Sascha. (2010). “iPHone 4’s FaceTime Video Calling Isn’t a First.” PC Magazine. Retrieved from
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2364801,00.asp
