
In sweet home Chicago on September 25, 1928 brothers Paul and Joseph Galvin incorporated Motorola's founding company, Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, with only one product and five employees. Flash forward through #90yearsmotorola and there's no doubt we have transformed the tech industry. Join us as we travel back through 90 years of innovation and technological breakthroughs to see how we have changed from then to now.
1.) We said goodbye to Galvin and hello to Motorola
Galvin Manufacturing introduced the Motorola car radio in 1930. The Motorola brand name became so popular that in 1947 Galvin Manufacturing Corporation changed its name to Motorola Incorporated. A short eight years later in 1955 the iconic Motorola batwing was born.
2.) Our 1st product fixed 1920s battery life probs, our latest solves today's need for speed
Our first-ever product was designed in 1928 to address a problem that continues to exist today: battery life. The Galvin Manufacturing battery eliminator allowed battery powered radios to run on household electricity. True to our DNA, we've never stopped delivering what matters most to you. One of our most recent products, the 5G moto modTM, will bring you speeds 10x faster than today's wireless technology and the increased connectivity you're looking for.1
Did you know that on a 5G network, you can download the latest season of your favorite show in HD in the time it takes to board a plane?
3.) From radio to millimeter, we've definitely made some waves
Galvin Manufacturing produced the world's first FM portable two-way radio in 1943. Since then we've brought the world's first commercial high-power transistor, commercial handheld cellular phone and two-way pager to name just a few. Most recently, we released the world's first 5G upgradable cell phone: the moto z3 and an accompanying 5G moto modTM so you can connect to Verizon's 5G network when it launches.1
Did you know at 2 lbs. and 10 in. long the world's first commercial handheld cellular phone, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x, was the size of a brick and weighed as much as a pineapple?
4.) We went from pocket-size pagers to RAZR thin flip phones
In 1982 the Motorola Sensar pager had a unique pen-sized design that looked radically different from any other pager on the market. It was only 2 ounces and conveniently fit into a pocket. In 2004, the innovative Motorola RAZR V3 changed the cell phone design game. With the thinnest profile on a clamshell cell phone of that time and an aluminum body, the RAZR was the first cell phone that doubled as a fashion accessory. The RAZR's V3 model sold more than 130 million units and was the best-selling clamshell phone in the world.
5.) We've transformed from modest mods to modern mods
Why carry a cell phone and a pager? In 1995, the Motorola RSVP numeric pager fit on the back of any MicroTAC to create a pager, cell phone combo! Today, we continue to push mobile phone limits with moto z and moto modsTM. Debuting in 2016, the moto z is more than just a smartphone snap on a moto modTM and transform it into a projector, photo printer, speaker and more.
6.) From Mount Everest to the moon, we've been everywhere
Over the past 90 years, we've been all over the globe and beyond! In 1969, a Motorola radio transponder aboard the Apollo 11 lunar module relayed the first words from the moon to Earth. In 2007, 30 years later, mountaineer Rod Bader climbed the highest peak of Mount Everest and used a Motorola MOTORIZR Z8 to make the highest-ever land-based portable phone call and text message.
7.) From the 1900s to the 2000s, we've never stopped creating bestsellers
In 1986, we introduced the world's best selling pager, the Bravo. The numeric pager could store five 24-character messages that was a lot back then! In the new millennium, the Motorola V60 became available in all three cellular technologies-GSM, TDMA and CDMA-and quickly became a worldwide best seller with internet access, text messaging and voice-activated dialing.
8.) Getting our start in Chicago's windy city, a global presence was only a few years away
While Motorola has always called Chicago home it didn't take long for us to build a global presence. In 1952 Motorola's first international subsidiary opened in Toronto, Canada, producing radios and televisions. Since then, Motorola has continued growing, with a strong presence in various countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific and China.
Did you know the first recorded sale of a Motorola-branded product outside the United States took place in June of 1930 with the sale of two Motorola car radios to W. Oldenburger in Mexico City?
9.) The best is yet to come
MOTOROLA, Stylized M Logo, MOTO and the MOTO family of marks are trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC.
Disclaimers
1 5G connectivity available with 5G moto mod (sold separately, coming early 2019) and 5G network coverage (launching in select areas in 2019; expanding after that). See www.verizon.com/about/our-company/5g for details.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
14/08/2026
amaran, pioneer of lighting tools for creators, today announced the amaran Mic, a 99 wireless desktop microphone that brings the brand into audio for creators ...
14/08/2026
Creative COW Roundtable: Introduction to the New After Effects Assistant - AEAI
Brie Clayton August 13, 2026
0 Comments
On August 23, 2026 at 9am PDT/...
14/08/2026
Life on Waves Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton August 13, 2026
0 Comments
Collaborative editing and color grading workflow supported by...
14/08/2026
Why Bulletproof Video Project Archiving Is Non-Negotiable
John Carboni August 13, 2026
0 Comments
In video production, the work is far from over when ...
14/08/2026
Stacked with Boston Conservatory Talent, Shakespeare on the Common Celebrates It...
13/08/2026
LaLiga has renewed broadcast agreements with ESPN and DSports covering Spanish-l...
13/08/2026
Three days of skateboarding competitions, live music, and other programming will...
13/08/2026
Matrox Video will showcase its portfolio of IP and software-defined technologies at IBC2026 (Booth 7.B15, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14).
The portfolio includ...
13/08/2026
SMPTE will present expert-led sessions, professional workshops, and networking events at IBC2026. The organization will be located in the IBC2026 Owner Pavilion...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com will exhibit at IBC2026 (Stand 10.D29, September 11-14, Amsterdam), showcasing FreeSpeak Cell, Avalon IP Station, updates to Arcadia Central Station, ...
13/08/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Eran Binyamin Zeitoun as Senior Techn...
13/08/2026
Miami HEAT, Florida Panthers, Orlando Magic, University of Miami join leading vendors for a day of gameday-production talk in South Florida
The 2026 SVG Venues...
13/08/2026
NBC Sports is producing the Twins-Phillies game alongside the streamer, which is...
13/08/2026
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 5, Booth 5.A21, September 11-14, Amsterdam), demonstrating cloud-based workflows across low-late...
13/08/2026
Dalet will participate in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, co...
13/08/2026
Cox Media Group (CMG) has announced multi-year local broadcast rights agreements...
13/08/2026
J nger Audio will join Fraunhofer IIS and industry partners to showcase a cloud-based, DTV+-compliant workflow at SET Expo 2026 in S o Paulo, August 17-20. DTV+...
13/08/2026
IBC has announced that Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will receive the Inte...
13/08/2026
NESN has partnered with WSBK-TV38 to broadcast Boston Red Sox games on August 17 and 18 over the air, extending the reach of the 24th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fun...
13/08/2026
LiveU and Panasonic LUMIX have announced the Live Anywhere workflow, demonstrated at NAB 2026 and InfoComm 2026 in collaboration with Social180Group. The work...
13/08/2026
Chyron will demonstrate its sports analysis, graphics, remote production, virtual production, and venue control solutions at IBC2026 (Booth 7.A23). This year...
13/08/2026
Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent ratings news and is derived from press re...
13/08/2026
Season tips off Oct. 20 and runs through April 11; Christmas Day, NBA Cup, All-S...
13/08/2026
Company preview bio-interactive' synthesizer
VAEMI have announced the upcoming launch of a new standalone bio-interactive' generative synthesizer....
13/08/2026
Plug-in host gains new Slot Scenes feature
Ravine DSP have recently updated their innovative plug-in host, kitting it out with a new feature that brings yet...
13/08/2026
New Agreement Aims to Leverage Gracenote Infrastructure to Create More Relevant ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
IBC today announced that its most prestigious honour, the International Honour for Excellence (IHFE), will be presented to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), ...
13/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced its participation in the IBC2026 Accelerator Media Innovation Pro...
13/08/2026
dzjinius, the all-in-one production management platform for the media and entertainment industry, will showcase its new application, dzjinius on-set , at IBC20...
13/08/2026
Broadcasting Center Europe (BCE), a leading European provider of media services, system integration and product development, will demonstrate an end-to-end sove...
13/08/2026
Clear-Com is returning to IBC 2026, taking place September 11-14 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. At Stand 10.D29, Clear-Com will spotlight the award-winning FreeSpe...
13/08/2026
Test & measurement innovator, Leader Electronics of Europe, will showcase its comprehensive portfolio of Leader, PHABRIX and LeaderPhabrix test and measurement ...
13/08/2026
KRK Brings Advanced Wireless Control to Professional Monitoring With New V Serie...
13/08/2026
Anthony Noack Captures Artist's Journey in Estonia with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Solo filmmaker documents concept...
13/08/2026
ARRI Image Science makes its mobile debut in the HONOR Robot Phone
Brie Clayton August 12, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays the HONOR Robot Phone, ...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
13/08/2026
Suitest's Test Automation Platform Simplifies Video Quality Assurance, Monitoring, and Device Certification Across the OTT Ecosystem
At IBC2026, Suitest, a...