Family Life

11.12.10 | Sarah Harnisch

  In the past month alone, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania-- have all approved Verizon's request to do away with phone books. And now 12 other states are eyeing the request. The first phone book was issued in February of 1878. Now, new books printed after january 1st in both states will only include businesses-- no personal numbers. The reason? They are too pricy to print, most people rely on cell phones, and cell numbers aren't listed in phone books. Also, only about 11 percent of Americans say they use the books anymore. Verizon says if you want to know someone's number-- you'll just have to go online and hunt it down. The current phone book weighs about 3 pounds 9 ounces, or a little more then a dozen iphones.