Back before cellphones

[jkwilson]

Remember the rows of pay phones campgrounds had near the office? Phone calls when you changed campgrounds and periodically so people back home could get in touch if they had to. It was nothing to be out of touch for days if you were out west.

This came up last night as some neighbors complained about the lack of cell coverage in the campground and how “dangerous” it was to be unreachable.

[ferndaleflyer]

I recently found some post cards I had sent to parents 65 years ago. I was 15 and took off hitch hiking around the country. You could do that in the 1950s. Parents didn't have a phone so once in a while I sent a post card. Here I sit with an I-12 and wonder if anyone sends post cards anymore

[BackOfThePack]

We used postcards. Daily. Some location particulars. Letters, weekly or more often. A phone call in an emergency until Dad put a Motorola radiotelephone in the Buick in 1962. $10/minute in today’s money.

Why would you need a phone? Our men were on every continent of this planet in the 1940s and life somehow went on without that device.

You wanna be slick, get a HAM license and “phone home” like the big boys used to do.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

Glad we DO have cellphones: 3 local girls were approached by a man asking for help putting something in his van. Sensing a bad situation, they told him no, and took photos of him, his van, and his license plate. And reported it to the Sheriff's Dep't. Turns out the guy had prior convictions for sexual misdeeds and hopefully won't be loose to bother other girls. Smart girls!

[2112]

I was standing in a grocery store checkout line many years ago. In front of me was a young boy and his father. In front of them was a large, heavy set woman wearing a pager. Her pager starts beeping and the young boy screamed "Look out dad, she's backing up".

I know, that's not PC at all these days but I had to do it.

[BobsYourUncle]

mr. ed wrote:
One day I was giving a talk during a religious service while wearing my pager on my belt. The pager was set to vibrate. Well, someone called and I jumped a little during the talk. I wonder if the congregation thought I had a sudden infusion of Holy Spirit! :B

He was probably making sure you didn't fall asleep! :B

[ford_truck_guy]

BobsYourUncle wrote:

2112 wrote:
When I was young and on the road I would call my mom collect to let her know I was ok. I would use my name (David) as the person I'm trying to reach. The operator would say "collect call for David" and mom would say "Dave's not here". She knew I was ok and it didn't cost a dime.

LOL!
Daves not here - Cheech & Chong :B

That's awesome !

[mr__ed]

One day I was giving a talk during a religious service while wearing my pager on my belt. The pager was set to vibrate. Well, someone called and I noticeably jumped a little. I’ve wondered if the congregation thought I had a sudden infusion of Holy Spirit! :B

[2112]

I called my pager the electronic nose ring

[curt12914]

Pagers were the start of us not being able to hide or ignore while at work. Sometimes, it was great that they couldn't get in touch with us !

[mr__ed]

I remember when pagers were the norm. You still needed to find a landline to answer the call, which was often a hassle. Plus, the fact the caller may have been long distance added an additional problem. Thankfully, modern cell phones have solved these issues.

[colliehauler]

I wish I could come up with a program to make these AI robo calls for extended warranty call each other over and over again.

I thought about staying on the line and requesting a warranty for a 62 biscayne with 430,000 miles to see if that would knock me out of the system.

[Crowe]

Evidently you're not hammered with extended warranty sales calls, LOL.

LOL! Yes, I am, but I have fun with telemarketers. Feel kinda bad sometimes because I know they are only trying to make a living but on some days enough is enough.

[colliehauler]

Crowe wrote:
Seen an article that stated that manual transmissions were becoming a theft prevention item because so few people know how to use them.

LOL they are indeed! However, finding them is more and more difficult, even in sports cars.

I'm not sure I'd go to the extent of calling cell phone a necessity just yet but as life and technology evolve it may become that way. They've impacted my life in a positive way with few negatives.

Evidently you're not hammered with extended warranty sales calls, LOL.

[colliehauler]

valhalla360 wrote:

colliehauler wrote:

Crowe wrote:
He had no idea how to use it.

Of course he wouldn't, just like most of us wouldn't know how to use something that was prevalent 75 years ago or something we don't use in everyday life or at our jobs.

True but this was 20 years ago before black rotary desk phones were complete obsolete.

Seen an article that stated that manual transmissions were becoming a theft prevention item because so few people know how to use them.

20yr ago rotary phones were very much an oddity. By the 1980's they were already being phased out, so most folks under 35 likely have never used one and even for the rest, they are a distant memory.

I am a bit sad that the manual transmission is dying a slow death but when it lost it's MPG advantage and sports cars found they could sell a fake manual transmission, it was just a matter time.

Wow time marches on, this occured in 87 so actually 34 years ago. But my point was technology moves on and stuff becomes obsolete.

[Crowe]

Seen an article that stated that manual transmissions were becoming a theft prevention item because so few people know how to use them.

LOL they are indeed! However, finding them is more and more difficult, even in sports cars.

I'm not sure I'd go to the extent of calling cell phone a necessity just yet but as life and technology evolve it may become that way. They've impacted my life in a positive way with few negatives.