Thank you, earthquake

[susandennis]

I lived and worked in south San Jose when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit 25 years ago. I was the Communications manager for a 5,000 employee IBM software lab. The post disaster action plans laid out in the weeks that followed included my being asked to always carry one of the newfangled portable phones with me at all times.

My first reaction was NFW was I going to haul that monster around. And then I got to thinking... my deal was 'ok, but as long as I can make all the personal calls I want.' Management agreed and so I hauled this puppy everywhere. It was huge. And it's charger was even huger.

The reception, most often, sucked. I could rarely hear it ring. Calling out was a bit better and I loved loved loved calling my friends from weird places.

The people at work mostly forgot I had it and if they needed me after hours they would just leave a message on my answering machine (yep, it was the dark ages) at home.

About that same time, Motorola executives came to meet with my boss - the lab director - about a colaboration with some database software we developed. The head guy was nice and fun and over lunch, he pulled out his latest toy to show off. It was a 'pocket sized' mobile phone that flipped open. It was soooooo cool!!!

It wasn't for sale yet but I do remember understanding that it would be way more expensive that I could ever afford. I was sitting next to him and he let me play with it and make a call. And get my buddy to call me back so I could hear it ring. It's was just magic.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm in the midst of moving this weekend, and am considering getting a landline for the first time in five years once I complete the move. I believe landline phones could still useful when there is a natural disaster that can affect cell towers. What do you think? I'd just like your opinion.

[susandennis]

I might have agreed with you a decade ago but what are the chances you will even be home in a disaster? Is it really worth the cost of a landline plus the required hardware (phone/answering machine/extensions)? When was the last time a natural disaster that took out cell towers hit the neighborhood you are planning to move to?

On the other hand, if the cost is worth it to you personally for the comfort, what's the harm?

[susandennis]

Also finding hardware (phone handset) that does NOT require electricity is getting rather tricky. If a natural disaster takes out cell towers, it's likely to kill electricity as well.

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

Yup. I think I have a corded phone in a closet somewhere, but since my "landline" is now cable company digital phone, there's no point.

ff

[(Anonymous)]

hy

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

Very cool!
I'm not sure I ever saw one of those big ones in person.
Everyone around me at the time had pagers...

[susandennis]

I don't know why they didn't go with pages but I'm very glad they didn't. I hated pagers.

[venta.livejournal.com]

Recently, I've found myself having to interrupt anecdotes to explain to the confused faces around me "of course, no-one had mobile phones then". Recently-out-of-university colleagues are a menace... they look just like normal people, then they say the oddest things :)

[susandennis]

they look just like normal people, then they say the oddest things :)

OMG that is the truest thing I have ever heard. And it's cracking me up.