Amos Joel invented the first mobile communication system, allowing people to use cell phones from one cell region to another without interuption of service. Born in Philadelphia, Joel studied electronic engineering at MIT and has since become a world authority in the field of switching. He worked for Bell Labs for 43 years and received over 70 U.S. patents in telecommunications. He has received many honors for his work including the Kyoto Prize in 1989 and the National Medal of Technology in 1993.