The person widely known as the “Father of SMS” is Matti Makkonen, a Finnish engineer. While he did not invent SMS (Short Message Service) alone or write its code, his innovative ideas and key contributions in the early 1980s were essential in making text messaging a reality. Makkonen’s work greatly influenced the early development of GSM technology (the standard used by most mobile phones).
Meet Matti Makkonen: The Finnish Engineer Known as the Father of SMS
What is SMS?
SMS stands for Short Message Service. It is a fundamental part of mobile communication, allowing users to quickly send and receive short text messages via mobile phones.
- Character Limit: Each standard SMS message is limited to 160 characters.
Who Was Matti Makkonen?
- Origin: Born on April 16, 1952, in Suomussalmi, Finland.
- Career: Makkonen was an electrical engineer who held top positions at companies like Telecom Finland and Nokia Networks.
- Key Idea: He first suggested the idea of sending short text messages over mobile networks in 1984.
- Recognition: He won The Economist Innovation Award in 2008 for his work.6 He passed away in 2015.
Important Facts Related to SMS
| Fact | Detail |
| 160 Character Format | Determined in 1985 by Friedham Hillebrand. |
| First SMS Sent | Sent in 1992 by Neil Papworth. |
| First SMS-Friendly Phone | Nokia 2010, introduced in 1994, was the first phone designed for easy writing of SMS messages. |
Question & Answer
Q1. Who is widely known as the “Father of SMS” for his key role in the development of text messaging?
(a) Neil Papworth
(b) Friedham Hillebrand
(c) Matti Makkonen
(d) Alexander Graham Bell
Answer: Matti Makkonen
Explanation: Matti Makkonen, a Finnish engineer, is widely known as the “Father of SMS” for introducing the original idea of sending short text messages over mobile networks.
Q2. In which year did Matti Makkonen first introduce the idea of sending short text messages over mobile networks?
(a) 1992
(b) 1985
(c) 1994
(d) 1984
Answer: 1984
Explanation: Makkonen first introduced the idea of sending short text messages over mobile networks in 1984.
Q3. The first SMS message was officially sent in which year?
(a) 1984
(b) 1985
(c) 1992
(d) 1994
Answer: 1992
Explanation: Neil Papworth sent the very first SMS message in 1992.
Q4. The standard limit for characters in a single SMS message is:
(a) 140
(b) 160
(c) 180
(d) 200
Answer: 160
Explanation: SMS (Short Message Service) allows for up to 160 characters per message.
Q5. Which person determined the 160-character format for SMS messages in 1985?
(a) Matti Makkonen
(b) Neil Papworth
(c) Friedham Hillebrand
(d) Jari Räsänen
Answer: Friedham Hillebrand
Explanation: The 160-character format was determined in 1985 by Friedham Hillebrand.
🔗 Other Useful Links:
📌 Latest Government Job Vacancies
📌 Latest Exam Results
📌 Free Mock Tests
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "K-4 SLBM Test from INS Arighaat Boosts India’s Nuclear Deterrence")
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Parasocial Connections with Celebrities, Influencers & AI: Key Current Affairs 2025")
.jpg=w704-h396-p-k-no-nu?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "IIT Madras & India AI Mission to Host Global AI Conclave 2025")