The first handsets used when Cellnet (now 02) and Vodafone opened their mobile radio systems in 1985 were nicknamed 'bricks' - and little wonder.
Handling the super lightweight pocket telephone of today alongside one of those heavyweights makes you realise how far technology has progressed - today's handsets will fit into a pocket or handbag whereas only a briefcase was big enough to carry the 1985 model.
The battery is the most obvious change - today's lithium ion power packs are about one fifth the size and weight of the huge nickel cadmium batteries of the mid 1980s, provide four times the life and can be recharged easily.
But it's not all down to the batteries - the electronics have changed to become less power hungry and the networks have improved, so that telephones don't have to transmit so far and can connect more quickly. This means they consume less power and can get by with smaller capacity batteries.
Handling the super lightweight pocket telephone of today alongside one of those heavyweights makes you realise how far technology has progressed - today's handsets will fit into a pocket or handbag whereas only a briefcase was big enough to carry the 1985 model.
The battery is the most obvious change - today's lithium ion power packs are about one fifth the size and weight of the huge nickel cadmium batteries of the mid 1980s, provide four times the life and can be recharged easily.
But it's not all down to the batteries - the electronics have changed to become less power hungry and the networks have improved, so that telephones don't have to transmit so far and can connect more quickly. This means they consume less power and can get by with smaller capacity batteries.
