Origin Stories: A Tech Series is a set of three animated illustrations that commemorate the initial stages of technologies that have changed the way humans connect.

April 3rd, 1973: Motorola engineer Martin Cooper invented the first handheld mobile device. After ten years and $100 million in investments, the company released the first commercially available phone to the public, providing the opportunity for people to converse remotely without a wire.

The technology bloomed with opportunity as it took on additional applications over the years, integrating text communication, internet access and eventually face-to-face calling. The mobile phone continues to ever-expand the scope of human connection. This NFT pays homage to the origins of this revolutionary technology.

Artwork: Joey Pasko and Elliot Sirchio / CNN

The Dawn of Mobile Phones

Origin Stories: A Tech Series is a set of three animated illustrations that commemorate the initial stages of technologies that have changed the way humans connect.

October 18th, 1958: Physicist William Higinbotham created what many consider to be the first video game. Since then, the world has seen the technology explode with thousands upon thousands of games across a variety of consoles over the years. Their evolution has spread across arcades, computers, smartphones, and all other kinds of electronics.

Initially seen as escapism and distraction, video games now play a significant role in human connection, especially for younger generations. The more recent advent of online gaming has enabled the opportunity for online friendships, providing social oxygen to those who've felt asphyxiated in isolation. This NFT is Vault's tribute to this technology that has brought us together, even when we've felt so far apart.

Artwork: JoEllen Smith, Elliot Sirchio / CNN

The Dawn of Video Games

Origin Stories: A Tech Series is a set of three animated illustrations that commemorate the initial stages of technologies that have changed the way humans connect.

January 16th, 2007: Reed Hastings announced that he would evolve Netflix from his mail-order DVD subscription service into the first streaming platform.

Soon after, other companies followed suit, creating a technological revolution. While still in its infancy, the streaming's potential may still be untapped. This NFT is Vault's tribute to the changing landscape of video consumption.

Artwork: Woody Harrington, Elliot Sirchio / CNN

The Dawn of Streaming

Vault by CNN operates on an environmentally conscious blockchain that uses less energy. For our next NFT drop, we’ve created an Environment Key –the first of many CNN logo NFTs to come – to portray how Vault continues to move forward in a new digital space with optimism, unique perspective and eco-friendliness.

Environment Key

Vault is proud to partner with Emergeast and contributing artist Muhcine Ennou in celebration of Earth's beauty and beyond. Muhcine's mastery of CGI and blending of real NASA archival imagery grants us a stunning perspective otherwise out of reach. This Earth Month, celebrate the beauty of our planet from an unexpected vantage point.

From The Curator:

*Beyond* is a digital artwork by Muhcine Ennou depicting a glimpse of what lies beyond our Earth. Muhcine was heavily inspired by the number seven, which is known to be the symbol of the cosmos and creation. As an edition of 777, the number seven represents all that nature offers us - time, space, fate, and divinity.