Motorola in the Past 80 years

Google is going to buy Motorola with 12.5 Billion USD for saving itself out of the trouble of patent disputes with other giants. It’s too early to have conclusion what it will be. But, it’s not bad to know Motorola and its history.

Motorola (Moto) in 1928-2008

On September 25th of 1928, Paul V. Galvin and his brother Joseph Galvin founded the Galvin manufacturing company in Chicago, the predecessor of the Motorola.

This is the first product of Galvin Manufacturing Company, Battery Substitute Device in 1928. It allows the battery-powered radio to use the standard household electricity.

In 1930, the first Motorola brand car radio came out. Paul V. Galvin named it “Motorola”. “Motor” means the car; “Ola” means voice in Italy. “Motorola” means the “voice in the car”.

In 1936, Galvin manufacturing company invented the wireless receiver for police patrol cars. Police can listen to the radio only from police broadcast station in the patrol cars.

In 1940, Galvin Company invented the wireless interphone SCR536, which was the sign of forward position of WWII.

In 1941, First commercial Vehicle Fm Radio System invented by Motorola. Philadelphia was the first city to use this system.

Going public in 1943 and the offering price of Galvin Company is 8.5 USD. Here is the Motorola listing prospectus.

Galvin Company invented the walkie-talkie SCR300 in 1943. This radio weights 35 pounds (about 16 kg), the valid call range is 10-20 miles (16-32km), only offer to US signal troops.

Car Wireless Phone On October 2rd of 1946, Bell Telephone Company started to offer vehicle wireless telephone services by using the communications equipment of Motorola.

In 1947, Galvin Manufacturing Company officially changed its name to Motorola.

First TV set “Golden View” from Motorola was very popular at that time for the price is less than US 200. It sold more than 100,000sets in one year.

In 1955, Motorola invented the germanium transistors for the car radio. It is the first commercial high-power transistor.

Motorola launched a new brand “M". The two tops of the triangles represent the leading progressive image of Motorola.

Robert W. Galvin, the son of Paul V. Galvin, becomes the CEO of Motorola.

In 1958, Motorola invented the vehicle interphone: Motrac. The power and receiver were made from transistor.

In 1963, cooperated with National Video Corporation, Motorola invented the world’s first rectangular color picture tube, which became the industry standard quickly. Before 1963, all the television screens were circular.

In July 1969, Apollo 11 installed the Motorola’s wireless transponder, which was used to pass the video and voice signals.

In 1973, Motorola demonstrated a prototype mobile phone DynaTAC

In 1983, Motorola released the World first commercial mobile phone. In 1984, this cell phone (weights 28 ounces) entered the market.

In 1986, Motorola created the "Six Sigma" quality improvement process, and it became a global standard later.

In 1990, General Instrument Corporation, one division of Motorola launched the first digital high-definition television technology standards (HDTV Standards).

In 1991, Motorola exhibited the first GSM cellular system and prototypes cell phones in Hanover Germany.

In 1995, Motorola released the iDen digital interphone, the first commercial digital intercom system integrated data transmission, paging and cellular mobile communication system.

In 1995, Motorola launched the world’s first two-way pager “Tango”. People could use it to receive short ext message and e-mail, as well as connect to computer and download more information.

In 1996, Motorola launched the world smallest, lightest Cell Phone “StarTAC”at that time.

In 1999, Motorola launched the “iDEN i1000plus” cell phone, the first cell phone integrated with digital telephone, two way wireless radio, alphanumeric pager, micro-browser, e-mail, fax and two-way messaging and other functions.

In June 2000, Motorola built the world first commercial GPRS network for UK mobile operator BT Cellnet with Cisco. The world first GPRS cell phone “Motorola Timeport P7389i”.

In 2000, Motorola tested the first 700MHz broadband data systems for providing an emergency wireless date system to public safety departments. The police, fire and Ems departments deployed this system in 2001.

2002 world fist wireless broadband router

In 2002, Motorola launched the world fist wireless broadband router“SURFboardAE SBG1000”, the first broadband router allows users to surf internet with wired network and wireless network.

In 2003, Motorola launched the first cell phone “A760”, using the Linux system and Java technology.2004 Motorazr V3 cell phone.

In 2004, Motorola launched the ultra-thin flip phone“RAZR V3”(thickness is 13.9 mm).

In 2005, Motorola launched the MOTOMESH wireless mobile network, the first multi-radio frequency broadband network.

In 2006, Motorola launched the "Ming" Smartphone which could identify more than 10,000 Chinese characters.

In 2007, Motorola combined with Symbol Technologies for providing mobile solutions products and systems for enterprises, including mobile computing, advanced data capture and radio frequency identification (RFID).

In 2007, Motorola won the fourth Best Corporate Citizen Award from the “200 Best Corporate Citizen Award for the United States," organized by CRO magazine. It was the fourth time it entered the Top Ten.

On September 26th of 2007, Motorola exhibited the WiMAX 802.16e mobile communications test in Chicago downtown. Users can access internet and video conference while moving.

CEO Greg Brown from January 1, 2008