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1972 - The invention of the DCT
The discrete cosine transform (DCT) compression technique is proposed by Nasir Ahmed. It has since become the most widely used data compression algorithm on social media, enabling the practical transmission and streaming of digital media. A DCT expresses a finite sequence of data points in terms of a sum of cosine functions oscillating at different frequencies. -Ben -
1974 - Publication of the first (TCP) is Released
Internet pioneer’s Vint Cerf, Bob Kahn and Carl Sunshine release the invention of the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The idea was to use TCP to share resources and transport data using packet switching, a complex internet system that helps group data. Many online applications such as email, world wide web, and file transfer rely on TCP to help transport data. -Clay -
1973 - Talkomatic
Created by Dave Woolley and Douglas Brown at the University of Illinois, as a multi-user chat room application. It is an instant sensation among users in the PLATO (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations) System's online community. -Ben -
1980 - Bulletin Board System (BBS)
Emerges as one of the earliest known forms of social media, and remains popular and under development until the late 1990s. BBS is a computer server running software that allows users to connect to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, the user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging messages with other users through public message boards and sometimes via direct chatting. -Ben -
1984 Fidonet
Fidonet was formed following the release of one of the earliest known forms of social media, the Bulletin Board System. Fidonet allowed the transfer of Netmail, which permitted private messages to be exchanged between users using a bulletin board. This was most popular in the 1990’s, prior to the introduction of affordable internet access. -Clay -
1995 - Classmates.com
Classmates was a website designed, and subsequently launched, in December of 1995. Classmates was designed to allow alumni of high schools in the United States to connect with one another and share contact information. When the website was originally published, it was a database for school affiliations. - Kameron -
1996 - ICQ
Originally developed in Israel, where it gained most of its popularity, this was one of the first cross-platform instant messengers that allowed for real time communication with individual accounts. The name ICQ is designed to sound like “I Seek You”. -Kameron -
1996 - Bolt.com
Bolt.com launches itself as a standalone service for social messaging, connection, and video chats. Originally designed for use by teens, Bolt.com hosted photo albums, daily horoscopes, browser gaming, and clubs with chatrooms. -Kameron -
1997 - AOL Instant Messenger (AIM)
Reddit, the self-proclaimed “Front Page of the Internet”, was launched in June of 2005. Reddit was a one-shop stop for every topic of interest from news to general content, with each individual topic being housed in its own “subreddit”. Reddit relies on users for what content is promoted to the top of your list, by allowing individuals to upvote and downvote content. Those subreddits are moderated by unpaid users whose responsibility is to keep the subreddit on-topic. -Kameron -
1997 - SixDegrees.com
Launched and considered the first social media site. It had functions such as creating a profile and linking yourself to other users as friends. The site amassed upwards of 3,500,000 users. AOL Instant Messenger is also released later that year. - Grace -
1998 - Open Diary
Paves the way for modern blogging sites. Key features such as the ability for readers to comment on others’ diaries and content only friends can see are created. Over half a million diaries are published on the website. - Grace -
1999 - Yahoo and MSN Messenger are both released
Both Yahoo! and MSN (also known as Windows Live) release instant messaging services, following the surge of popularity brought on by AOL messaging services. The instant messaging service allowed those who had emails either on Yahoo! or MSN to connect with their contacts instantly, and being able to know when they are online and available to chat. Along with instant messaging for both services, MSN also released a video and voice calling service. -Clay -
2000 - Launch of HABBO
HABBO, originally released as Habbo Hotel, is an online community and social networking platform aimed to connect teens and young adults. User’s can create a personalized avatar, which can message other players, as well as play games and complete different quests. HABBO was originally created by Sulake, a finnish video game company. -Clay -
2001 - Launch of Windows Messenger
Windows Messenger, an integrated version of MSN messenger, is released. Included in Windows XP, Windows messenger allowed users to private message, as well as transfer files between users efficiently. Windows Messenger was discontinued to make room for the release of Windows Live Messenger and Microsoft Lync. -Clay -
2002 – Friendster
Launched with intentions of being used as a dating site. The platform morphs into one of the original social media websites, on which a user can create a profile, post pictures, link up with friends, and discover new interests. The creators were not ready for the amount of users interested in the site, which left room for frustration amongst unsatisfied users. - Grace -
2003 – Myspace
Myspace became the places Friendster users flocked to. In just two years, the site amassed 25 million users. Myspace took the most popular features from Friendster to create the perfect site for teens. Key features include a customizable profile that was available to the public, and the ability to share photos and status updates. -Grace -
2004 – Facebook
Facebook is launched, called TheFacebook. It initially began as a way for Ivy League students to connect, then broadened to all universities, and eventually everyone with an email address. Facebook stems from a parent site created in 2003, FaceMash, which was used as a hot-or-not site. The site becomes the most popular social media site to date, with 2.7 billion users. -Grace -
2005 - “Going Viral”
In December of 2005 is when the term “going viral” took off. It started with the video called “Lazy Sunday” from Saturday Night Live featuring Andy Samburg and Chris Parnell. After six million views NBC told Youtube to take the video down from its website. -Ben -
2005 – YouTube
YouTube officially launched on December 15, 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, former employees of pay pal. They launched this with the idea that people would want to share their home videos. By the official launch there were more than two million video views a day. -Paige -
2005 - Reddit
Reddit, the self-proclaimed “Front Page of the Internet”, was launched in June of 2005. Reddit was a one-shop stop for every topic of interest from news to general content, with each individual topic being housed in its own “subreddit”. Reddit relies on users for what content is promoted to the top of your list, by allowing individuals to upvote and downvote content. Those subreddits are moderated by unpaid users whose responsibility is to keep the subreddit on-topic. - Kameron -
2006 – Twitter
In March of 2006 Twitter was created by Evan Williams and, Biz Stone, both worked at google before they left to launch Odeo, a podcasting venture. At Odeo they worked with Noah Glass and Jack Dorsey who also helped create what we now call twitter. Twitter was originally called Twttr and it was used as an SMS board to communicate with friends. It slowly evolved into what it is today. -Paige -
2006 - Facebook
September 2006 Facebook went to a global networking site. -Paige -
2007 - The Hashtag
Twitter started the hashtag trend in social media. However, they didn’t realize the effectiveness of the hashtag until 2009 when users could find content from this function. -Ben -
2007 – Tumblr
Tumblr in February of 2007 by founder David Karp. Users were able to post multimedia and content to form a short blog. The services allowed users to follow other blogs and to make your own blogs private. It is also owned now by Automatic. - Paige -
2010 – Pinterest
Pinterest was founded by Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp, and Paul Sciarra. It launched in March of 2010. Pinterest was for visual creations and to share ideas and inspiration for projects, designs, and hobbies. This site had 10 thousand users nine months after launching. -Paige -
2010 – Instagram
On October 6, 2010 by founder Kevin Systrom. This is an app that allowed users to share videos and photos with followers. The prototype was called Burbn. Two years after the launch Facebook purchased it for $1 billion in cash and stock. -Paige -
2011 – MySpace Goes Under
In 2011 MySpace gets sold to Specific Media by News Corp. for $35 million dollars, this is much lass than what News Corp had originally bought it for. When MySpace Launched in 2003 it was the top social media site, then Facebook came and many users left MySpace because of the overload of ads. -Paige -
2011 – Snapchat
Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy launched what is now Snapchat in July of 2011 to the IOS app store only. The two met at Stanford University and created Picaboo in spring of 2011. It was originally called Picaboo for the disappearing of photos. When it first launched it only was available to IOS users. In 2012 it added video and was also available to Android users. - Paige -
2012 - Facebook Acquires Instagram
In April, Facebook acquired Instagram for a billion in cash and stock. It was the largest acquisition Facebook had purchased at the time since its prior focus on smaller size companies for less than 100 million. - Adelina -
2012 - Facebook Reaches One Billion
Facebook announces that they have reached Mark Zuckerberg’s goal of attaining one billion connections on their social platform. They achieved this goal in eight years. In additions to reaching one billion people, Facebook goes public with shares set at a price of $38, a $104 billion valuation. - Adelina -
2012 - Tinder
Tinder founders, Sean Rad and Justin Mateen, launch their app on September 12, 2012. The app allows users to swipe left (no) or right (yes) on other potential matches. It allowed users to have a sped-up matchmaking process without having to sit in front of a computer. - Adelina -
2012 - Vine
Vine was founded by Dom Hofmann, Rus Yusupov, and Colin Kroll in June 2012. Twitter acquired the company later that year in October. Vine is a video sharing app that allows users to create and publish 6-second videos. -
2013 - Instagram Launches Video Sharing
Instagram made it easier for users to share video. This feature let users share 15-second videos on the service with editing features and filters. It also hit 130 million monthly users who had shared 16 billion photos to date. - Adelina -
2013 - Google Hangouts
On May 15, 2013, the service known as “Babel” launched as Google Hangouts. Hangouts allows conversations between two or more users, and the service can be accessed online or through applications. - Adelina -
2014 - Musical.ly App
Musical.ly was founded by Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang. It is an app that allows users to share 15-second videos, usually of people singing or dancing. - Adelina -
2014 - Amazon Acquires Twitch
Amazon buys Twitch for $970 million. Twitch users can host live streams of their gaming sessions and broadcast them. They have over 55 million users. - Adelina -
2015 - Friendster Shuts Down
On June 14, 2015, Friendster was shut down, presumably due to the decline in community because other competitive social networks. -Adelina -
2015 - Periscope
Periscope was founded by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein in 2015 and acquired by Twitter shortly after. Periscope is a live video streaming app. - Adelina -
2015 - Meerkat
Meerkat was founded by CEO Ben Rubin. Similar to Periscope, Meerkat is a mobile app that allows users to live video stream. - Adelina -
2016 - Facebook Live
Facebook Live launched in April 2016. This feature allows users to live stream content to their followers allowing them to tune in. - Adelina -
2016 - Instagram Launches Stories
In August 2016, Instagram started insta-stories. This feature works exactly like Snapchat, allowing users to post videos that only last for a 24-hour period. - Adelina -
2016 - Vine App Shuts Down
In January 2016, Vine announced its shut down. Ultimately, executives say Vine didn’t move fast enough to differentiate itself from other up and coming apps. - Adelina -
2017 - TikTok
Zhang Yiming founded ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company which later launch TikTok in 2017 reaching most markets. It became available worldwide in 2018. - Adelina -
2017 - Path Shuts Down
In October 2018, Path shut down after being available for 8 years and stumbling through a few controversies with user interface. -Adelina -
2018 - Yahoo! Messanger Shut Down
Yahoo! Messenger shut down on July 17, 2018. It struggled to remain relevant among its bigger competitors like Facebook and Instagram. -Adelina -
2018 - Musical.ly Shuts Down
Musical.ly was shut down as it was acquired by ByteDance. Its user base was merged over to TikTok. - Adelina -
2019 - Google+ Shuts Down
On April 2, 2019, Google+ announced its shutdown due to low usage and growing challenges to meet users’ expectations. -Adelina
