The Universal Nature of Cell Phones
Cell phones have greatly changed the way we communicate. People are now able to communicate much more easily and efficiently. It is no longer necessary to use pay phones in order to make calls when you're not at home. Cell phones have gone from being bulky, cumbersome divices to the miniature high tech gadgets which we see today. These phones allow people to talk to their friends, family, or business associates with ease. They are also good to have during emergencies.
While cell phones were originally used primarily as a method of communication, they are now being used for many more applications such as internet access, videos, games, and other forms of entertainment. In many places cell phones have taken over 98% of the market, replacing most landline phones. While the use of cell phones may be new to many people, the foundation for them was made over 150 years ago by a scientist named Michael Faraday.
A series of experiments were conducted by Faraday in 1843 which led to the basic design we see in all cell phones today. The very first cell phone was created in 1947, and by the end of the 1970s their use had become more mainstream. These devices were called cell phones because many stations broke up different service areas into what were called "cells." These cells allowed a larger area to be covered, and the call volume increased. By the 1980s a large portion of the population begin using cell phones, and by the 1990s the technology went digital.
Like many electronic devices, cell phones emit electromagnetic radiation. This has led to some controversy over there use, because many feel that users may be damaging their brains by using them. A study released in 2006 by Dutch scientists has shown that people who use cell phones for more than 2000 hours within a five year period have a 200% chance of getting a brain tumor. Other studies conducted in 1999 show that there are no links to brain cancer. This issue has spawn a debate which is ongoing.
However, it is recommended that users keep the antenna at least eight inches away from their head while using them.Whether cell phones cause health problems or not, most people around the world now use them. In places like Japan you are seen as being odd if you don't have one. Expensive cell phones are beginning to have capabilities which rival that of some computers. In the future it is expected that they will continue to advance with more memory and other features.
Cell phones are here to stay, and it is unlikely we will go back to using a traditional landline. Many industries have sprung up around their use, such as the mobile music and mobile games industry. The popularity of text messaging and ringtones has exploded, and have made owning a cell phone more popular then ever. The future promises to bring forth cell phones with even more advanced features than the phones we use today.