The prediction of smart mobile phones as we know them today emerged from a blend of futuristic visions from various inventors, scientists, and science fiction authors. Here are some key figures and works associated with the idea:
- Nikola Tesla (1926): In an interview with Collier's Magazine, Tesla predicted a device that would allow people to communicate wirelessly, see and hear each other, and share information across the globe.
“When wireless is perfectly applied the whole earth will be converted into a huge brain... A man will be able to carry one in his vest pocket.”
- Mark R. Sullivan (1953): As the president of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company, Sullivan envisioned a future where telephones would be portable, wearable, and capable of video communication.
- Arthur C. Clarke (1964): The renowned science fiction author predicted the rise of personal communication devices. In an interview, Clarke spoke about small devices capable of accessing vast networks of information.
- Star Trek Communicator (1960s): Though fictional, the Star Trek communicator inspired many engineers and inventors to think about portable communication devices.
- Martin Cooper (1973): The Motorola engineer led the team that developed the first handheld mobile phone and drew inspiration from earlier predictions like the Star Trek communicator. Cooper's work laid the groundwork for modern mobile phones.
- Alan Kay (1972): Kay conceptualized the "Dynabook," a personal, portable device capable of accessing information and enabling communication, often considered a precursor to modern smartphones and tablets.
Each of these figures contributed ideas or prototypes that eventually merged into the modern smartphone—a device that combines telephony, computing, and connectivity.