On April 3, 1973, Martin Cooper’s voice echoed through the streets of New York City. This marked the birth of a new era in communication with the first-ever cellphone call. Cooper held a device the size of a brick. He called his rival, Bell Labs’ Joel Engel, to declare that his Motorola team had built a functional, portable phone. Before the first call, Motorola and Bell Labs were racing to build a cellphone. The intense rivalry fueled mobile communication advancements.
After the first cellphone call, it still took another decade for personal cellphones to reach consumers’ hands. Production challenges and government regulations delayed the devices’ arrival to the public market. The first cellphones to hit the market allowed for conversations of 30 minutes but required a 10-hour recharge period. They cost US$3,900, measured about a foot long, and weighed around two to three pounds. The bulkiness and expense of these early phones kept them from widespread use. However, as technology progressed, mobile phones became lighter and more affordable. These days, cellphones have become an essential part of many people’s lives.
Cooper, who is now 95 years old, knew back in the 1970s that cellphones would affect just about everyone. He said in an interview that he and his team used to joke that someday, phone numbers would be assigned at birth and missed calls would come with deadly consequences. Their predictions hinted at how important their invention would become. The first cellphone call ushered in a new age of communication, one that would connect us in ways we never imagined.
Photos: Ivy English I 照片:常春藤
1973年4月3日,馬丁.庫柏的聲音迴盪在紐約市的街道上。伴隨著首次手機通話,這標誌著通訊新時代的誕生。庫柏拿著一部磚塊大小的裝置。他打給競爭對手貝爾實驗室的喬爾.恩格爾,宣稱他的摩托羅拉團隊已經打造出一款可正常運作的攜帶型電話。在首次通話之前,摩托羅拉和貝爾實驗室在手機製造方面競爭著。這場激烈的競爭推動了行動通訊的進步。
首次手機通話後,個人手機又過了十年才到消費者手中。在生產上面臨的挑戰和政府法規延後了這些裝置上市的時間。第一批發售的手機可以通話三十分鐘,但需要充電十小時。其售價為三千九百美元,長約一英尺、重約兩到三磅。這些古早手機的厚重和費用導致手機無法被廣泛使用。然而,隨著科技的進步,手機變得更輕、價格較能負擔得起。如今,手機已經成為許多人生活中不可或缺的一部分。
現年九十五歲的庫柏早在1970年代就知道手機會影響幾乎每個人。他在接受採訪時表示,他和他的團隊曾經開玩笑說,有一天人們出生時就會被分配電話號碼,且漏接電話會帶來致命的後果。他們的預測暗示了他們的發明會變得多麼重要。首次手機通話開創了通訊新時代,這個時代以我們從未想過的方式將我們連結起來。
What Did You Learn?
1. What was the purpose behind Martin Cooper’s historic call?
2. What slowed down the process of bringing the first cellphone to the public?
參考答案
1. To tell his rival that his (Motorola) team had built a functional, portable phone.
2. Production challenges and government regulations.
Words in Use
1. echo vi. (聲音)迴盪
A single gunshot echoed through the forest, startling some birds.
一聲槍響迴盪在森林裡,驚動了一些小鳥。
2. communication n. 通訊,聯繫
Instant communication is about quickly sharing information with others.
即時通訊和迅速與他人分享資訊有關。
3. functional a. (機器、系統等)正常運作的;實用的
Every piece of hardware must work properly to create a functional computer.
每件硬體都須正常運轉,才能建構出運作良好的電腦。
The design of the handbag is both functional and beautiful.
該手提包的設計兼具實用和美感。
4. portable a. 便於攜帶的
Portable grills make outdoor cooking convenient, which is perfect for camping.
攜帶型烤肉架便於戶外料理,非常適合露營。
5. intense a. 激烈的,強烈的
Throughout the intense argument, neither individual gave in to the other.
在那場激烈的爭論中,沒人要向對方退讓。
Practical Phrases
1. hit the market 發售,上市
Anticipation is high for the new laptop, which is set to hit the market next month.
那臺新型筆電備受期待,預計於下個月上市。
2. allow for... 使……發生∕成為可能
Wide sidewalks allow for safe biking and walking.
寬闊的人行道可讓騎乘自行車和走路都很安全。
3. at birth 出生時,一出生
Kirk weighed only two kilograms at birth because he was delivered three months early.
柯克出生時只有兩公斤重,因為他早了三個月出生。
4. hint at... 暗示……
hint vi. 暗示
The dark clouds in the sky hint at an upcoming storm.
天空的烏雲暗示了即將來臨的暴雨。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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