A Short History of Distant Communication

The technological advancements made in distance communication can be best described as quantum leaps during the last two centuries. Before the invention of electronic communication devices, humans relied on different inefficient methods of conveying messages through distance. The most ancient form of distant communication is perhaps shouting. A group of prehistoric hunters may have shouted at each other in a distance to coordinate their attacks on preys. Shouting was also used by ancient armies to send commands in battles. The chaos of battle, however, demanded more effective systems of communication. Semaphores or flag signaling was developed. Smoke signals, drum beating and reflected sun rays were also some of the other distant communication methods that were invented.

Cellular phone is one of the modern communication devices, along with WiFi Internet connection, that made mobile communication possible. The system is called cellular because it uses many base stations to relay signals and divide service area into multiple cells. The basic concept of cellular phone was developed in 1947. Researches recognized the potential of the crude mobile car phone during that time, which were commonly used by the police and military. The researchers realized that by using small cells, along with frequency reuse, the traffic capacity of mobile phones could be substantially increased. Nonetheless, the technology to do this was inexistent during that time.

Today cellular phones are already multi-media devices. Some cellular phones are multiple devices integrated into one. An average modern cellular phone is capable of sending short text messages, taking photographs, and connecting to the Internet.