Mobile phone

(1983-1989)

Nicknamed as "大哥大", "Big Brother" in English by Chinese Community

Circled in image: The huge Motorola Cellphone
Content of image: The person with grey jacket on the right is a mafia leader, chatting with his men( all on the left)  had his cellphone on the table.

The nickname of "Big Brother" was originally how men in triad society of Hong Kong address their leaders or bosses. Only those gang leaders within the association could afford and are eligible to carry cell phones in the 80s. Mafia leaders carrying a cell phone on hand often slowly became a significant icon of 1980s cell phone. Likewise, cell phone had emerged as a symbol of every gang leaders. Hence, the huge device was given a nickname aligned with “Big Brother” or formally "大哥大".

A favourite tools used by triad members for violence

Circled in image: The huge cellphone

Content of image: The offender, a triad leader, is using his cellphone as the emergency weapon to hit his opponent as he was suddenly attacked by his rivals when stepping out from a restaurant.


A newly discovered use of mobile phone which is, convenient weapon to use while unexpectedly attacked by someone else and not prepared at all.