this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2023
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phones

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Discussion on telephony, telegraphy and switching equipment

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A FaceTime for a more civilized age.

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[–] pitl 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

A "picturephone," I think? AT&T developed and tried to sell a couple models in the 60s and 70s. I vaguely remember reading about a brief period where they tried to popularize them through paid public-access rooms. I don't know what model that is, though.

[–] anthonyg 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

Plus, those “You Will” commercials from the 90’s!

Will you be depressed that a dystopian future is coming? You will. And the company that will bring it to you? AT&T. ;-) (those commercials looked very cyber-punk)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=a2EgfkhC1eo&pp=ygUMQXR0IHlvdSB3aWxs

[–] loopednetwork 3 points 2 years ago

It also seems fitting since the same ad campaign was used for some of the first ever banner ads on the nascent web.

[–] pitl 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

That does look pretty cyberpunk, actually, haha. The architecture in the scene at the one-minute mark especially.

Also, it's interesting (and mildly terrifying) how there are a few things in this advertisement that you can actually do now... though most of them were not brought to you by AT&T.

[–] janus2 1 points 2 years ago

This video could easily be it's own post. A lot to unpack there haha