The videophone first caught on as a device that easily enabled distance learning and video conferencing and also proved helpful for the hearing impaired. Then came such derivations as Skype and smartphones, and the videophone became ubiquitous worldwide.

What is the purpose of videophone?

A video phone is a device that assists Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who use sign language in communicating with others. The phones can be used by Deaf people to communicate with each other over the phone, or with hearing people through a sign language interpreter.

How was videophone invented?

The first recorded videophone, or a two-way television-telephone, was invented by a Filipino engineer and physicist named Gregorio Zara. It was taken out of science fiction in 1955 when he first introduced the device and patented it as a “photo phone signal separator network”.