In 1973, a telecommunications engineer from Chicago made the first public mobile phone call while standing on a sidewalk in Manhattan. This event marked a turning point in communication history. The engineer, who worked for Motorola, created a four-pound device that would later become the first commercially available mobile phone. Since then, the device has evolved into a lightweight smartphone used by over 4.6 billion people globally. The invention has become a profound part of daily life, with smartphones now acting as tools for messaging, internet access, and entertainment. According to a mobile network association, almost 60% of the world’s population had mobile internet access in 2023. In many parts of the world, the phone is no longer just a tool but a symbol of being connected to society.

Today, the mobile phone continues to develop into something more advanced. The original inventor, now 96 years old, believes that phones will become health-monitoring devices that run on body energy instead of batteries. These devices may conduct real-time health checks and inform doctors immediately. Some experts say this could change the future of medicine. However, there are concerns about overuse, especially among children. Teachers and psychologists have reported that too much screen time affects learning and social skills. To address this, seven states in the U.S. have already implemented school phone bans, while twenty others are discussing similar policies. Some suggest that phones should be used as educational tools that help learners articulate their ideas better. Despite these debates, the mobile phone remains a formidable invention that has fundamentally changed human interaction and society. Many believe that its full potential is still unrealized.