smartphone Archives - Eric F. Frazier

Point de vue du Gras, first photograph by Niépce.

Photography: From Grainy to Ingrained

August 19, 2016August 27, 2019 Eric F. Frazier

In recognition of World Photo Day, I am posting images of the first photograph and the earliest known photograph of people. We can thank two Frenchmen for these photos, and for their contributions to the development of photography. (Raise a…

Blog Posts Coins: Words I Made Up

The Selfie: Overdoing a Meme

November 2, 2014August 27, 2019 Eric F. Frazier

In my last post, I commented on the profusion of tourists in Paris taking selfies with arms outstretched and their backs to the very sites they had traveled so far to see. Making your travel photo in front of landmarks…

Quips: My Short Takes

Phone Sex

January 4, 2014January 4, 2014 Eric F. Frazier

The movie Her raises interesting questions about the future of relationships between humans and artificial intelligence, as well as the direction of movies in the same genre. For example, many people must carry a separate employer-provided business phone in addition…

About Eric F. Frazier

I am an independent writer, editor, book reviewer and co-author of GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones.

Frazeology is my take on matters large and small, in the news or off the radar. My approach is personal, but the goal is not to write about me. Rather, it is to offer subjective observations about experiences and concerns that we all share.

From time to time, I link to and comment on things others have said particularly well--or especially poorly. And sometimes I make up new words. We have more than enough already, but it's fun and I find playing around with language irresistible.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by, and I hope you enjoy reading.

“A useful work about a complex topic.”

— Roger Launius, Quest

“GPS Declassified is a carefully researched, well written, fast-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable book. It offers an excellent mix of science, technology, history and culture. This book is highly recommended.”

— William F. Mellberg, The Space Review

“Expertly weaves the story of GPS development and its ever-expanding use."

— M. W. Carr, Choice

“Written in a clear and lively style GPS Declassified provides readers with GPS development history including personal recollections from leading developers…. As an introduction to GPS, its history, uses, issues and concerns GPS Declassified can’t be beat.”

— Robert Schaefer, New York Journal of Books

“The authors do the impossible, making an intricate technological advance fascinating to read. They offer an informative and well researched account of how GPS proved its worth even before the system was complete.”

—Walter J. Boyne, author of How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare and former director of the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution

“A fine and entertaining story of the origins of the Global Positioning System, a consequential space-age technology that has affected the lives of hundreds of millions in war and peace."

—Mike Gruntman, PhD, professor of astronautics, University of Southern California at Los Angeles, and author of Blazing The Trail: The Early History Of Spacecraft And Rocketry

“The authors deftly place the concept and development of GPS within two broader historical contexts: navigation and robotic spaceflight.”

— from the foreword by Rick W. Sturdevant, PhD, Deputy Director of History, Air Force Space Command

Paid writing gigs keep me busy, so I post these personal blogs at irregular times. Subscribe below to receive new posts as soon as I make them.