The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Coming Attractions: The Latest In Future Phones, Circa 1970

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** August 8, 2025 3:55 pm

I found this astounding ad from Bell in the U.S. while going through an old collection. It's quite remarkable considering the cell phones we have now. Facetime, 1970 style.

This obviously never really got off the ground, despite the flowery predictions in the ad copy. I do remember seeing a prototype of this at Expo 67 when I was a kid. I wonder why it never happened?

**Posted by Dale Patterson** August 9, 2025 7:53 am

Here's some more background on the Picturephone.

https://polyarchives.hosting.nyu.edu/exhibits/show/thevideophonefrominnovationtof/videophonechronology

**Posted by newsguy1** August 9, 2025 12:24 pm

we were supposed to have this on the moon in 2001

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDUxxuNQwEA

**Posted by paterson1** August 9, 2025 12:52 pm

I remember seeing picture phones at the CNE in the Better Livings Centre at the Bell Canada display. Don't really remember the year but would have been around 1970 or earlier. I remember they were hooked up that you could speak and see someone in Montreal. I believe they were also on display at Expo 67 as RA mentioned.

Last edited by paterson1 (August 9, 2025 12:53 pm)

**Posted by Shorty Wave** August 10, 2025 7:28 am

I also remember seeing this type of thing at Expo 67 as a kid and thinking that I’d probably wouldn’t be allowed to use it as I wasn’t allowed to use the phone yet! Man, Expo 67 was amazing, the future looked good back then! Still have my passport somewhere, great memories.

**Posted by RadioActive** **Online!** August 10, 2025 7:55 am

Love the brief shot of the Ed Sullivan Show coming live from Expo 67! (Around the 2:24 mark.)