The Picturephone Mod II: A Glimpse into the Future
The Picturephone Mod II, presented by AT&T on July 1, 1970, represents both the pinnacle of technological progress and the beginning of market resistance in the history of videotelephony. With a zoom lens and silicon photodiode array camera that could focus on any documentation placed in front of it, the Mod II, housed in a compact plastic enclosure, offered an improved user experience over its predecessor. Specs-Wise, a touch-tone speakerphone was used to convey the sound, and the display had a 250 line resolution.
With Mod II's market launch, AT&T stood on the brink of what it believed to be a revolution in personal and business communication, "with perhaps one million sets in use, Picturephone service may be a billion dollar business by 1980" (AT&T).
Ever the visionary, Stanley Kubrick felt it appropriate to incorporate a version of this technology into his film classic "2001: A Space Odyssey," which helped to further establish the Picturephone in the minds of people who were looking to the future. Nevertheless, in spite of these popular endorsements and AT&T's high expectations, the Picturephone Mod II was put to the test as it launched in 1970. In the movie, the Picturephone's deployment in a number of locations—including the highly developed Space Station V—showcased an innovative method of communication. Scenes where Dr. Heywood Floyd utilizes a Picturephone booth—which has sliding doors and cozy seating—to make a heartfelt conversation to his daughter back on Earth during his layover at the station effectively illustrate this. The film's design of Picturephone booths, which require users to insert a card to activate the device, mirrored real-world trends of multifunctional technology usage involving credit and calling cards, predicting a future where such devices would become commonplace.
These portrayals not only enhanced the authenticity of the movie's atmosphere but also had a long-lasting effect on popular culture. The film's depiction of fluid, visual communication over great distances captivated audiences and established a standard for both real-world and cinematic communication technology in the future. The Picturephone's symbolism is furthered within the larger science fiction narrative by Kubrick's visionary incorporation of a gadget that seemed remarkably futuristic yet incredibly functional. This illustrates Kubrick's skill in fusing science fiction with realistic invention.
With equipment and service costs of $160 a month (roughly $950 in today's dollars) plus extra minute charges, the Picturephone Mod II was out of reach for the majority of the population. Just 32 sets were sold in Pittsburgh in 1972, and by early 1973, sales in Chicago, a larger market, had only reached a peak of 453(Bonhams 2019). These numbers showed that the public was not ready to accept this technology, which intruded into their privacy and provided a feature—visual connection—that most people did not think necessary.
The Mod II's difficulty finding a buyer was a sign of a wider pattern. During phone talks, people treasured their privacy and the concept of being seen was more of a novelty than a requirement. Faced with these market realities, AT&T put a halt to the Picturephone project by the middle of 1973.
The Mod II allows us to observe the point at which cutting-edge technology and the unwavering power of consumer preference converge. It serves as a reminder that innovation, no matter how technically spectacular, must satisfy the needs and desires of its users in order to flourish; a lesson that has been reinforced throughout the annals of technological history.