Tim Harford — The iPhone at 10: How the smartphone became so smart

All of these technologies are important components of what makes an iPhone, or any smartphone, actually work. Some of them are not just important, but indispensable. But when Mariana Mazzucato assembled this list of technologies, and reviewed their history, she found something striking.

The foundational figure in the development of the iPhone wasn't Steve Jobs. It was Uncle Sam. Every single one of these 12 key technologies was supported in significant ways by governments - often the American government.

"Who invented the iPhone?" The government. Apple picked up the technology and adapted it to the iPhone. A lot of that technology was likely developed either for military use or military/intelligence-related use.

BBC
The iPhone at 10: How the smartphone became so smart
Tim Harford