The Latest Phone Tech!

These are actual ads from the National Lampoon.

The above is from April, 1976.  Yes, the price is four hundred bucks.

Note the Porta-Phone's 15-year "useful life," which would take us to the year 1991.  Since the first cell-phone call took place in 1990, this wasn't a bad "useful life."

From much later -- the November-December 1989 NatLamp -- we've got a fake for those who can't wait!  Of course, I read this ad and wonder how many cars were broken into because some miscreant thought this fake was the real thing.  You thought you'd impress the neighbors, but the neighbor kid smashed your car window to steal the thing!  I bet replacing your glass cost a lot more than what you spent to make everyone think you've installed an expensive cellular phone in your vehicle!

Here's a brief history of cell phones of that era.

See you on Monday!