The Genesis of the Picturephone: Unveiling the Patent
Why Picturephone?
The Picturephone was born out of AT&T's corporate objectives and a broader cultural interest with an approaching information revolution in the 1950s and 1960s (Lipartito, 2003). In order to maintain its commercial and technological supremacy, AT&T was looking for fresh and innovative ventures to pursue in addition to its lucrative voice telephone business, which was almost reaching universal penetration. With its novel design, the Picturephone was intended to spark a second communications revolution that would have an equivalent impact to that of regular telephony (Lipartito, 2003). Societal expectations and futuristic views of a society transformed by multimedia communication technology were popular at the time, and they served as a catalyst for this desire:the public's first enthusiasm for the Picturephone was best demonstrated at the 1964 World's Fair.
Picturephone Patent:
The image depicts the United States Patent Office document for a videotelephone transceiver, Patent No. Des. 224,117, dated July 4, 1972. The patent was filed by Donald Michael Genaro, Haworth, Thomas Joseph Kelly, John Neil McGarvey, and Rembert Ryan Stokes, assigned to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated. It showcases the design schematic of a videophone, with a figure labeled "FIG. 1" that illustrates a device consisting of a screen mounted on a pedestal with a control pad, reflecting the technological ambitions of the era for integrated audio-visual communication.
Capabilities and limitations of early videotelephony technology:
Bandwidth: The system required a bandwidth of 1 MHz. This is indicative of the frequency range needed to transmit the video signal, which is considerably high for the era, emphasizing the advanced technology and infrastructure required.
Active Lines Per Frame: The videophone used approximately 250 active lines per frame. This number of lines indicates the resolution of the video image, which by today's standards would be considered quite low, but was a significant achievement at the time, allowing for reasonably clear video transmission.
Frames Per Second: The device operated at 30 frames per second (fps). This frame rate is comparable to standard video rates today and would have provided a fairly smooth motion for video calls, minimizing motion blur and making interactions more natural.
Fields Per Frame: It utilized 2 interlaced fields per frame. Interlacing was a common technique used to improve the quality of video playback on early television screens without increasing the bandwidth.
Screen Size: The screen size was relatively small, measuring 5-1/2 inches by 5 inches. This compact size reflects the technological limitations and the intended use for personal, face-to-face communication at close distances.
Viewing Distance: The optimal viewing distance was set at 36 inches (3 feet), which aligns with personal desk use, similar to how webcams are used today.
Field of View (Normal and Expanded): The normal field of view was 17-1/2 inches by 16 inches, expanding to 28-1/2 inches by 26 inches. This specification likely refers to how wide an area the camera could capture, important for framing the user properly during a call.
As impressive as these advanced technicial details are, they are too advanced even for the concurrent infrastructre to support: the existing telecommunications infrastructure simply cannot support the high-bandwidth requirements of video transmission. The Picturephone required a bandwidth of 1 MHz and operated with approximately 250 active lines per frame at 30 frames per second, a demand that the standard telephone networks of the time were not equipped to handle . This technological gap meant that while the Picturephone was a feat of engineering, widespread practical implementation was not feasible.
Furthermore, society's preparation for video-based communication technology was restricted: Video calls were first perceived as an invasion of privacy in the 1960s, a view that AT&T may have undervalued. Color television was still a relatively new technology in the era, so the introduction of a gadget that could broadcast live video feeds of people was a big step forward.
However, these did not worry AT-T in the slightest, as at the heart of the Picturephone's story lies a moment of awe and optimism—an echo of Alexander Graham Bell's own revolutionary leap in communication. The first Picturephone call, as documented in the 1970 AT&T Archives video, was not just a call; it was a broadcast of possibilities, a testament to human ingenuity, and a symbol of a future brimming with potential.
"Good morning, John. You're looking well this morning," begins a historic conversation, connecting two individuals not just through the sound of a voice but through the sight of a smile. This moment in Pittsburgh, a city already at the forefront of the communications field, marked the Picturephone as the next "amazing innovation," as significant as "the telephone was when your father participated in the first call back there in Tennessee."
As we showcase the Picturephone's evolution from concept to reality, we celebrate the pioneers' excitement for this "new dimension of communication." This inaugural call wasn't just about the novelty of seeing each other while talking. It represented the culmination of years of development and the beginning of a future where distance would no longer impede the full experience of conversation.
The Picturephone call resonates with foresight and anticipation, suggesting a rapidly expanding system due to its potential to "be so helpful to the overall communication program." The speakers predict widespread use and immense utility, a belief firmly rooted in the transformative power of the Picturephone, asserting confidently, "It's been very exciting... participating in this first Picturephone call."
Yet, as the exhibit unfolds, we will observe how this technological marvel encountered practical and societal hurdles. As one participant joyfully notes, "Here's looking at you," we are reminded that the vision of the Picturephone was not merely to see, but to be seen—a feature that would ultimately become one of the technology's most significant barriers to acceptance (Lazzareschi, 1993).
Through this inaugural display of the Picturephone, we step into the shoes of those who witnessed its debut, sharing in their wonder while preparing to explore the complex journey of this transformative invention.