AT&T Archives: Seeing the Digital Future (1961)

[erik666]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHo0-qU8xo
I want the phone at 7:37 !

[DavePEI]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHo0-qU8xo
I want the phone at 7:37 !

I find these old ATT/Bell videos so fascinating. When I think back over my lifetime, the change has been just a blur. Back in the 70s, most of PEI was still on magneto exchanges, and it was well into the 90s when most people could get private lines and talk without a string of neighbours listening to our calls. Now, it has as advanced a communications system as anywhere. And the Internet has changed the original view of so many things, making possible what was just a dream back when that video was made.

I do get a kick out of threads like the pizza ordering thread which was wondering how people ordered pizza before the advent of touch tones. Of course it was possible - you just had to speak with another human being   Even in magneto days, you could order a pizza on the phone. But there are young people who can't understand how! Back then, you talked to a real person - O my gosh! Imagine! Who would have thunk it!

Thanks for posting the link, and I totally recommend people spend some time looking at the archived videos - they are fascinating, and can be corny, but yes, that is how we got to where we are today!

When I was young, older folks talked about "the good old days". Now, I understand. When I remember what they are talking about in these old videos, it makes me feel so old!!!! Ahh, the good old days, but there is a lot to be said about the present, too!

If you want to see other early ATT Historical videos on YouTube, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDB8B8220DEE96FD9

or visit their Tech archives at:
http://techchannel.att.com/showpage.cfm?ATT-Archives

Dave