Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

It was a hot July day and I was desperately trying to make a long-distance call from a pay phone. I was in the Rio Grande Valley. I had stopped at a bank of pay phones and was trying to confirm an appointment in Harlingen with a doctor group who were good brokerage prospects and I needed to firm up an appointment.

These pay phones were in front of a gas station and convenience store but also near the highway with a lot of traffic whizzing by both ways. Not only was the temperature Texas hot, but there was a lot of noise from the traffic in the street. I had to dial not only the client’s 11 digits, but also my 11 personal phone digits to make the connection and not have to drop in change to complete the call. It was almost as bad a payphone in London.

Now with the distractions and noise, I had probably was in my second or third attempt in completing the call and even then, there was no assurance I could speak to my party who was a medical doctor. While this was happening, a car pulled up right beside me and the driver rolled down his window and said, “Get a cell phone!” That was all, and he drove off.

Well, I stood there for a moment, angry at his interruption, at my difficulty in completing the call, the heat, the noise, and all the other problems of trying to do a simple task. I then realized he was right. With a cell phone I could make the call in the comfort, convenience, and coolness of my car while I was driving. So why was I trying to do it in the blazing sun on the side of the road on a pay phone.

I got back in my car, drove to Harlingen, picked up my friend, Bob Murphy who owned a pharmacy there and who had also been trying to persuade me into buying a phone and we then went to a nearby phone store and I purchased my first bag phone. This was a miracle. I was able to increase my efficiency by at least 50 percent and on some days 100 percent in being able to set appointments from my car. And when an appointment was cancelled redirect my activities elsewhere, so I didn’t waste time. I still have this wonderful device somewhere in my garage just as a reminder of its efficiency and time saving capabilities.

Other than a personal computer, I don’t know of anything that allowed me to really capitalize on “time is money” as much as that first bag phone did. Just Sayin…RJS

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

So true, I have saved hundreds of hours of downtime being able to conduct business, call for repairs and coordinate employees from the seat of my tractor or combine. Let alone the miles of walking saved when a breakdown occurs at the far end of the farm.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

I had a flipper for the longest time and you would need to pry it from my hands to get it away from me. Texting, pics, never a drop call, laughed at for having a flipper, clarity, you name it this phone was a life and time saver.

Well came time for the Mrs to replace her smart phone and i couldn't pass up the 2 for 1 deal. How did we ever make it with out a smart phone?

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I remember the days of bag phones. My daughter's cross country coach had one . The size of a briefcase and all it did was make calls..... Sometimes.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

I did not know what you were talking about Flytier until i goggled it. Evidentially they are still out there. Still can purchase them.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Personally I don't know why anyone would. You get all the power and function of a phone plus computer in a smartphone.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

The very first phone was a Motorola "brick" phone. It looked a lot like the receiver of a radio message system used by the U.S. Army infantry. One man carried a back pack, with the batteries and other essential electronics, and the officer, would use the receiver/ speaker to talk on the radio. That receiver was similair to the "brick" phone offered by Motorla. it was very expensive, had short range, and often no range at all. But it was the envy of all who saw it! Just Sayin...RJS

Sitn Loc: Osyka, MS.

I still have my first bag phone and the only phone that was mounted in one of my trucks. I lost one cell phone down a 6” water well. The last one was lost about 6 months ago and I never got it back. But a lady in Louisiana ended up with my number and had trouble with obscene phone calls. I now do not have a cell phone and have enjoyed it very much. My wife bought a new I phone and loves it. I don’t want another one. It reminds me of when I was back in the 1950’s and 60’s. Peacefully quiet!

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

My first cell phone was a Radio Shack bag phone with a 3' whip antenna. I could pull that antenna up and make a call home from 3 miles off shore while fishing. I used that phone till phone company told me that I couldn't use it anymore as they were going digital on all cell towers.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, I went through a long series of iterations with my cell phones. After the first bag phone, I graduated to a phone in my Suburban. It was a dual type phone, first in its cradle in my vehicle it had a very powerful range since the antenna was atop the Suburban and the 12 volt system of the vehicle boosted the range, it was enough for me to make calles even while driving through a section of the King Ranch south of Corpus Christi. Then the little cell unit could be removed to make local calls. I used it constantly and expect that it paid off for my business by 3X or even 4X what I could have done otherwise. It was a great boost. just Sayin...RJS