The Cellphone

December 15, 2010
The cell phone is a vastly successful product made possible through a combination of advancements in telephone, radio, and computer technology. It has not only penetrated markets in developed countries but has also made inroads into some of the poorest developing nations, such as those in Africa and in Afghanistan and rural India, giving those on the far end of the low-income scale affordable access to phone and text messaging for the first time. Klemens worked in various aspects of the wireless communications field for more than 15 years and was involved in the development and testing of digital cell phones. The historical aspects are quite interesting as he recalls the early implementation of mobile phones, which debuted as early as 1946 and continued to be an expensive novelty until the 1980s. The average reader may get bogged down in some of the technical explanations of how the cell-phone system works, but the information could prove quite useful for research. Klemens also succinctly covers the business side of wireless telecommunications, potential health risks, driving safety, and smart phones.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)