early 12c., one of the ecclesiastical princes who constitute the sacred college (short for cardinalis ecclesiae Romanae or episcopus cardinalis), from Latin cardinalis principal, chief, essential (see cardinal (adj.)). Ecclesiastical use began for the presbyters of the chief (cardinal) churches of Rome.
In 1889, the rotary telephone dial was invented by Almon B. Strowger , a Kansas City undertaker. The first dial exchange was installed at La Porte, Indiana, in 1892. In 1943, Philadelphia was the last major area to give up dual service.
Meet Marty Cooper - the inventor of the mobile phone. 1  Martin Cooper, inventor of the mobile phone, said manufacturers are cramming too much into new handsets. 2  In the early 80s mobile phones were a luxury that cost thousands of dollars. 3  Mr Cooper believes smartphones will become chips to implant behind the ear.