Do you remember your first cell phone? I certainly do. The first-ever cell phone my mom came home with was a Motorola StarTac. A pretty cool little unit, that allowed you to... dial a number, and call it. It came out in 1996 and had a bunch of features we didn't have a clue about how to use.

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Credit: YouTube / Canva
Credit: YouTube / Canva
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It offered "key features" such as:

  • Being able to receive text messages.
    • Not send them, that came in the next model.
  • Vibrate
  • An LCD Digital Display
  • Phone Book
  • Retractable Antenna

Now, we look at those features and laugh these days... but that is what it was like 26 years ago. I asked around the office to find out what everyone else had as their first device, and when (if they would spill those beans) and these are the answers I got!

Kristina (Account Executive)

Kristina was 19 at the time, and she rocked an LG Flip Phone with a CAMERA on Verizon. Though, she noted, she was jealous of all her friends... who had the LG Env2 Texting Phone.

Karen Gallagher (The OG of Cat Country)

Karen couldn't remember the original phone she had, however, she DID tell me she owned a bag phone at one point in time. And it was on Commnet (Never heard of it).

Mikhail (Account Executive)

Mikhail was gifted with tech at the ripe old age of 7, and his was a unique phone from Motorola. Kinda reminded me of two bubbles stuck together...

Becky (The Big Cheese at TSM Billings)

Becky told me she got her first phone at 29, and that phone was... a Motorola Bag Phone in her car. However, at a remote, someone broke INTO her car and stole the thing!

Rachel Helgeson (Digital Managing Editor)

Rachel was 12 when her parents got her and her sister a phone to SHARE, only to call for rides from dear ol' mom. It was a Motorola V325i on Verizon.

Aaron Flint (The Gift of Gab on Montana Talks)

Flint didn't share a phone, but he DID have fond memories of his see-through blue BEEPER. Paging Dr. Flint... Paging Dr. Flint!

Credit: Josh Rath, TSM / Michael Foth, TSM
Credit: Josh Rath, TSM / Michael Foth, TSM
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Finally, but not least, Michael Foth (Co-Host of the Morning Mix on Mix 97.1)

Michael reminded me he keeps his relic prized possession proudly displayed in the Mix studio, and indeed it was there.

What was YOUR first cell phone? And how old were you when you got it? Let us know on App Chat or Facebook.

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