The cellular phone has dramatically changed how we communicate, and it has connected us more than ever before. While cell phones are now must-have devices, they weren’t always as accessible. Previously, their high cost made them more of a status symbol than a standard, everyday tool.

So how did we get to this point? This cell phone timeline takes you on a tour of the modern cell phone, from that first call on a New York City sidewalk in 1973 to the feature-packed smartphones of today and tomorrow.

Cell Phone Cost Comparison Timeline Created By: Ooma