Motorola

Motorola Tube Box

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Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company founded on September 25, 1928, by Paul V. Galvin and Joseph E. Galvin. The company had a significant impact on the development of the global communications industry. Motorola designed and sold wireless network equipment such as cellular transmission base stations and signal amplifiers. Motorola's mobile communications division was perhaps the most well-known aspect of the company, with the Motorola Razr V3 being one of the best-selling mobile phones of its time.

History

Motorola started as Galvin Manufacturing Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, and initially produced battery eliminators. The company's first product was a record player that worked directly from household current. The brand name Motorola was adopted in 1930 for the company's new car radio—linking "motor" (for motorcar) with "ola" (which implied sound). Thus, Motorola stands as a pioneer in the field of automotive communications.

During the Second World War, Motorola developed the SCR-300, the first portable FM radio, used by the United States Army. This innovation marked the beginning of Motorola's long-standing relationship with the U.S. military and its entry into the communications equipment sector.

In the post-war era, Motorola diversified its product line to include television sets, and by the 1960s, it had ventured into the semiconductor industry, producing microprocessors and microcontrollers. Motorola's semiconductor products were used in a wide range of applications, from computers to space missions.

The 1980s and 1990s saw Motorola achieving significant milestones in the mobile communications market. The company introduced the DynaTAC 8000X, the world's first commercial portable cellular phone, in 1983. In the following decades, Motorola's innovations in the mobile phone industry continued with the release of the StarTAC, the Razr series, and other mobile devices.

Decline and Split

Despite its early successes, Motorola faced challenges in the 2000s due to increased competition and rapid technological changes in the telecommunications industry. The company's mobile device division, in particular, struggled to keep up with competitors such as Nokia, Samsung, and Apple.

In 2011, Motorola, Inc. was divided into two separate companies: Motorola Solutions and Motorola Mobility. Motorola Solutions focused on communications equipment for public safety and commercial customers, while Motorola Mobility was centered on consumer mobile devices.

Motorola Mobility was acquired by Google in 2012, primarily for its patent portfolio, and was later sold to Lenovo in 2014. Under Lenovo, Motorola Mobility has continued to produce smartphones and other mobile devices.

Legacy

Motorola's legacy in the telecommunications industry is significant. The company played a crucial role in the development of mobile communications, from pioneering early radio systems to creating some of the most iconic mobile phones. Motorola's innovations have left a lasting impact on the way people communicate worldwide.