1956: First ringtone

A blast from the past on MIT Advertising Lab.

"This article from Popular Electronics via Modern Mechanix dated 1956 reads: "Telephone users will welcome the news that the Bell Telephone Laboratories is experimenting with a new device that will eliminate the b-r-r-r-ing of present-day instruments. The gadget, using transistors, will produce pleasant musical tones resembling those of a clarinet.

Sound emanates through the louvred area at the base of the set, shown in the photo with a white background."

Other ringtone related "first":

-- Boy George, first ringtone composer

-- James Winsoar, first ringtone provider

-- Nylon Beat, releases first ringtone teaser

-- Some general ringtone history

emily | 12:09 PM | Ringtone «Firsts» |
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