Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests knowledge of the history of teleconferencing, which is a form of communication technology.
Step 2: History of Teleconferencing:
Teleconferencing is the use of telecommunication systems to connect people in different locations for meetings or conferences.
Key milestones:
• 1960s: The concept of teleconferencing began to emerge with the development of early audio and video conferencing systems.
• 1964: AT&T introduced the Picturephone, which was a visual telephone that is considered one of the early precursors to video conferencing.
• 1970s: More advanced systems were developed, but the basic concept of teleconferencing started in the 1960s.
• 1980s and 1990s: Teleconferencing became more widely available with the development of ISDN and IP-based systems.
Therefore, teleconferencing as a concept and technology started in the 1960s.
Step 3: Analyzing the Options:
• (A) 1940s: This is too early; telecommunications were still in their infancy.
• (B) 1950s: Still early; the first experiments started later.
• (C) 1960s: Correct. The Picturephone was introduced in 1964.
• (D) 1970s: While it became more refined, the start was in the 1960s.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Teleconferencing was started in the 1960s. Therefore, option (C) is correct.