logoalt Hacker News

SoftTalkeryesterday at 5:24 PM2 repliesview on HN

Payphones were everywhere though. And if you were somewhere that didn't have a payphone, you probably were out of cell phone coverage also. They were a bit more convenient, you could use them without stopping, and you didn't need to have a pocketful of coins (but most people did carry some coins in those days, too). And they were a status symbol.


Replies

projektfuyesterday at 5:33 PM

I remember an absurd ad where a pushcart hot dog vendor was taking orders on the cell phone and I'm like $0.99/min for a $5 or less sale? Yeah the ad was for a service that charged by the tenth of a minute or something but it was still crazy. It was mostly doctors and traveling salespeople that had them.

I love the scene in the beginning of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me with the car phone.

PeterStueryesterday at 5:54 PM

Absolutely not "everywhere". In a city or municipality centre, sure. In the harbour, out on the docks, nada.