9 people died, and thousands left injured in pager blasts in Lebanon. According to multiple reports online from Aljazeera, Washington post and France 24, a series of explosions from pagers used by Hezbollah members in an operation alleged to be remotely controlled.
The explosions were triggered by small amounts of explosive concealed in pagers, reportedly carried out by Israel, though the Israeli military declined to comment.
Among the injured was Iran's ambassador to Lebanon. The attacks occurred amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have seen ongoing exchanges of fire since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Gaza.
The explosions began around 3:30 p.m. local time, causing chaos as pagers in pockets and hands exploded, leaving scenes of bloodshed and panic.
The blasts primarily targeted areas with a strong Hezbollah presence, including southern Beirut, the Beqaa region, and Damascus.
But what are pagers? You might laugh at the question but sadly there are many Gen Z who might not know what these old school tech are. But Mpasho is there to represent.
What is a Pager?
A pager is a small telecommunications device used mainly for sending short messages. It was popular during the 1980s and 1990s before mobile phones became widespread.
Early Development
The concept of the pager dates back to the early 20th century, with the Detroit Police using one-way radio communication in 1921. In 1949, Alfred J. Gross patented a pager-like device.
Public Use and Advancement
In 1950, Motorola developed the first public-use pager. By the 1970s, pagers had become more advanced, allowing users to receive short messages.
Peak Popularity in the 1990s
Pagers reached their peak in the 1990s, offering reliable communication in areas without mobile coverage, becoming essential for professionals and emergency responders.
Decline with Mobile Phones
With the rise of mobile phones in the 2000s, pagers began to decline in popularity as mobile devices provided more versatile communication options.
Continued Use in Healthcare
Though largely obsolete today, pagers remain in use in sectors like healthcare due to their reliability in critical situations.
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