Good Call: 5 Interesting Facts About Phones

When you think of the telephone, one of the first names that spring to mind is Alexander Graham Bell. After all, he is best known for inventing the telephone.

But what about other interesting phone facts, ones that most people may not know?

If you want to learn more interesting facts about phones, stick with us as we cover some of the most interesting and bizarre bits of trivia. 

1. There’s Controversy Over the Invention of the Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell may be the father of the telephone, but he wasn’t the first inventor to have come up with the idea. In 1849, Antonio Meucci—an Italian immigrant and inventor—designed the talking telegraph.

A professor from Oberlin College, Elisha Gray, also applied for a caveat the exact day Bell applied for a patent for the phone.

2. The First Cell Phone Took Ten Hours to Charge

When we think of the phone now, we picture sleek models with large touchscreens we can fit into our purse or pocket. But the original cell phone was huge and weighed about 2.5 pounds.

The device only worked for around 35 minutes and took ten hours to charge! The next time someone complains about their phone charge, you can surprise them with this fact about mobile phones.

3. The Motorola DynaTAC Cost Almost $4,000

Ten years after the first demonstration of a cell phone, the first commercially available cell phones hit the market. In 1983, you could own the Motorola DynaTAC for the price of $3,995.

The DynaTAC wasn’t much better than the first mobile phone designed in 1973. You had roughly 30 minutes to talk, and you had a six-hour battery life.

In 1989, the MicroTAC came out. It was nine inches smaller, weighed slightly less, and could last for 90 minutes of talk time. At the time, the Motorola MicroTAC cost $3,000.

4. Americans Collectively Check Their Phones 8 Billion Times Each Day

If you’ve ever thought you check your phone too much, you’re not alone. A recent study revealed that Americans check their phones around 8 billion times per day.

On average, people in the U.S. look at their phones around 46 times a day.

Whether you’re checking your messages, glancing at Facebook, or browsing the web, it’s all too easy to pick up the phone. For most of us, phones have become a major part of our lives.

5. There Are Over 5 Billion Mobile Users Worldwide

Across the world, there are over 5 billion mobile phone users. That’s a lot of people carrying around cell phones.

Smartphones have revolutionized the way we interact with the world, from messenger apps and texting to AR (augmented reality) and apps for just about anything.

What does the future hold for phones? Only time will tell! One thing is for sure, phones are much more accessible now than they were only a few decades ago.

Share These Facts About Phones

The phone has come a long way since it was first invented. After learning these interesting facts about phones, we hope you share them with someone. Tell a friend or surprise someone with your newfound knowledge.

If you’re looking to broaden your knowledge, check out the other content on our site for fun facts like these on a variety of topics. Find great conversation starters, fun trivia, and much more.