Modern Technology Isn’t Quite So Modern

The principal that makes fiber optics possible, the guiding of light by refraction, was first demonstrated in Paris, in 1840.

A patent for the first wireless telephone was issued by Nathan Stubblefield, in 1908.

“Freephone” service, the precursor to Toll Free service, was introduced by the Post Office, in 1960.

The first modems were introduced in 1960.

Instant Messaging first appeared on multi user operating systems like CTSS and Multics in the mid 1960’s.

Email started as a way for multiple users of MIT’s time sharing mainframe computer to communicate, in 1965.

Caller ID was first invented by Theodore Paraskevakos, from Greece, in 1968.

Ethernet was developed by Xerox between the years 1973 and 1975.

VoIP was first discussed in a paper titled “A Protocol for Packet Network Interconnection” but the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, in 1974.

The earliest routers were introduced by Xerox, in 1974.

Voicemail was introduced by IBM and Xerox in 1975.

IBM introduced the first portable computer, the 5100, in 1975.