The History of Email

By caitlyn1696

  • MAILBOX Created

    MAILBOX Created
    MIT scientists created a service to exchange messages between computers in the same lab. The service was called MAILBOX and was extremely restricted by distance.

  • CPYNET

    Ray Tomlinson included two programs - SNDMSG and READMAIL - in new FTP (File Transfer Program) called CPYNET. The development allowed messages to be transferred outside of time-sharing system. Tomlinson is credited for the selection of the @ symbol.

  • ARPANET equipped with mail program

    ARPANET equipped with mail program
    Abhay Bhushan attached Tomlinson's program to newly developed ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) FTP. Tomlinson's titles SNDMSG//READMAIL were replaced by MAIL//MLFL.

  • Folksonomy of ARPA mail system

    ARPANET began developing RD; the first 'mail-manager software,' allowing users to organise, delete and file messages.

  • MSG managing system was created

    John Vittal created MSG, which became the most widely used management program. It increased the convenience of replying and organising, as well as the capacity of messages.

  • MsgGroup created

    In the attempt to develop a common format for communication, ARPA management created MsgGroup as a forum for discussion. This established the first mailing list, and established the platform as a tool for discussion.

  • EMAIL program developed

    14 year old creates a messaging program under the name EMAIL for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey for internetwork messaging.

  • Microsoft Mail program released for Mac OS

    The program allowed users of the AppleTalk Network to message each other.

  • CompuServe expands network

    CompuServe ISP provided all internet users to email each other using dial-up phone connection.

  • Microsoft Mail program released on DOS and Windows

    An updated version of the original program was released to include DOS and Windows network devices.

  • Attachments enabled

    The ability to attach more than just text to an email was created.

  • Microsoft Outlook

    Microsoft released a new formatted mail system, connected through US ISP's such as AOL and Delphi

  • HoTMaiL created

    Hotmail was the first program not connected directly to a single ISP, and utilised the HTML format. Microsoft bought the software in 1997 and rebranded as MSN Hotmail.

  • Yahoo Mail launched

    Yahoo launch their own messaging service following Hotmail.

  • Gmail created

    Google's internal emailing system was publicly launched.