OMG! The cellphone turns 40

Doug Gross, CNN
Updated 6:17 AM EDT, Thu April 4, 2013
In this image from 1972, a model demonstrates a "portable radio-telephone" by Pye Telecommunications at a London exhibition called "Communications Today, Tomorrow and the Future."
When cellphones were hideous —
In this image from 1972, a model demonstrates a "portable radio-telephone" by Pye Telecommunications at a London exhibition called "Communications Today, Tomorrow and the Future."
Getty Images
Martin Cooper hoists an early phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. Cooper made what is widely considered to be the first cellphone call from a New York City sidewalk in 1973.
When cellphones were hideous —
Martin Cooper hoists an early phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X. Cooper made what is widely considered to be the first cellphone call from a New York City sidewalk in 1973.
Courtesy Martin Cooper
Tony James, bassist for British New Wave band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, with his girlfriend Janet Street Porter, in 1986. This brick-like model is also known as a <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Zack%20Morris%20phone" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Zack Morris phone"</a> after the phone-toting character on TV's "Saved by the Bell."
When cellphones were hideous —
Tony James, bassist for British New Wave band Sigue Sigue Sputnik, with his girlfriend Janet Street Porter, in 1986. This brick-like model is also known as a "Zack Morris phone" after the phone-toting character on TV's "Saved by the Bell."
Getty Images
Franck Piccard of France talks on a mobile phone after the Mens Super G Slalom event at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. He won the gold medal. The phone, however, was shut out.
When cellphones were hideous —
Franck Piccard of France talks on a mobile phone after the Mens Super G Slalom event at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. He won the gold medal. The phone, however, was shut out.
Allsport/getty images
One of the most prominent pop-culture appearances of these early brick cellphones was on TV's "The A-Team," which ran from 1983-87. This fool appears to have stolen Hannibal's iconic device. We presume that Mr. T's B.A. Baracus (not pictured) pities him.
When cellphones were hideous —
One of the most prominent pop-culture appearances of these early brick cellphones was on TV's "The A-Team," which ran from 1983-87. This fool appears to have stolen Hannibal's iconic device. We presume that Mr. T's B.A. Baracus (not pictured) pities him.
Getty Images
It's no iPhone. In this image from 1989, Allan Z. Loren, then-president of Apple Computer USA, talks on a mobile phone as cyclists ride past.
When cellphones were hideous —
It's no iPhone. In this image from 1989, Allan Z. Loren, then-president of Apple Computer USA, talks on a mobile phone as cyclists ride past.
Getty Images
The Motorola MicroTAC Classic was released in 1991 and modeled after 1989's MicroTAC 9800x, which sold for up to $3,495.
When cellphones were hideous —
The Motorola MicroTAC Classic was released in 1991 and modeled after 1989's MicroTAC 9800x, which sold for up to $3,495.
Getty Images
NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace talks on a cellphone during practice for the Daytona 500 in February 1996. Perhaps he's complaining to his barber about his hair.
When cellphones were hideous —
NASCAR driver Rusty Wallace talks on a cellphone during practice for the Daytona 500 in February 1996. Perhaps he's complaining to his barber about his hair.
David Taylor/Getty Images
Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan does a radio interview via a clunky cellphone from his campaign bus in Roswell, Georgia, in March 1996.
When cellphones were hideous —
Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan does a radio interview via a clunky cellphone from his campaign bus in Roswell, Georgia, in March 1996.
Luke Frazza/AFP/Getty Images
Philips demonstrates its new digital phone, The Synergy, in 1997 at a press conference in Dubai. The then-advanced device offered wireless access to e-mail, Internet and faxes.
When cellphones were hideous —
Philips demonstrates its new digital phone, The Synergy, in 1997 at a press conference in Dubai. The then-advanced device offered wireless access to e-mail, Internet and faxes.
Rabih MoghrabiAFP/Getty Images
It's Y2K ready! A Samsung Electronics employee shows off this spiffy ''Millennium Multimedia Phone IMT-2000'' at a trade show in 1999 in Geneva, Switzerland.
When cellphones were hideous —
It's Y2K ready! A Samsung Electronics employee shows off this spiffy ''Millennium Multimedia Phone IMT-2000'' at a trade show in 1999 in Geneva, Switzerland.
MARTIAL TREZZINI/AFP/Getty
Nigel Rundstrom of Nokia shows off the company's new mobile phone, the catchily named DoCoMo Nokia NM502i, in Tokyo in March of 2000. No explanation was given for his hat.
When cellphones were hideous —
Nigel Rundstrom of Nokia shows off the company's new mobile phone, the catchily named DoCoMo Nokia NM502i, in Tokyo in March of 2000. No explanation was given for his hat.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
Even Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was not immune from holding ugly phones. Here he makes a point with a "new generation" cellphone during his annual "state of the industry" speech at the COMDEX convention in Las Vegas in November 2000.
When cellphones were hideous —
Even Microsoft chairman Bill Gates was not immune from holding ugly phones. Here he makes a point with a "new generation" cellphone during his annual "state of the industry" speech at the COMDEX convention in Las Vegas in November 2000.
JEFF CHRISTENSEN/AFP/Getty Images