The Incredible History of Email: The Technology That Changed the World

Email has grown into an essential communication tool, with billions of messages sent and received daily. In 2022, an estimated 333 billion emails were sent each day globally, and that number is expected to rise to 392.5 billion by 2026. The number of email users also reflects this surge, with 4.26 billion users in 2023 and projections indicating growth to 4.73 billion by 2026.

But how did we get here? Let’s discover the key milestones that have shaped the history of email, the technology that connects us all today.

1971: The Birth of Email: Roy Tomlinson’s First Message

In 1971, Roy Tomlinson, a programmer working on ARPANET (the precursor to the Internet), sent the first email message. This simple message, “QWERTYUIOP,” was sent between two computers sitting side by side. Before this breakthrough, users could only leave messages for others on the same computer. Tomlinson’s system made it possible to send messages across a network of computers, and he is also credited with introducing the @ sign to distinguish between the user and their host machine—a format we still use today.

This was the first major step in creating the email system as we know it today.

1972: The First Email Management Software

In 1972, Lawrence Roberts, one of the pioneers behind ARPANET, developed the first email management software, called RD (for read/delete). This allowed users to read, save, or delete messages, introducing basic organizational features that we now take for granted, such as sorting emails by subject and date. This innovation helped email become a more practical tool for communication within organizations.

1970s–1980s: The Expansion of Email

As email technology evolved, it gained traction among large corporations and universities. Tech companies like AT&T Bell Laboratories, IBM, and Compuserve developed their own proprietary in-house email systems. Additionally, universities such as Berkeley took an early interest in email technology. In 1978, Eric Schmidt of Berkeley (who later became Google’s CEO) developed Berkeley Network, an early messaging platform that connected different computers, laying the foundation for more advanced messaging systems.

1978: The First Use of “Email” and the Rise of Disputes

In 1978, Shiva Ayyadurai created a program called EMAIL at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and he copyrighted the term in 1982. While Ayyadurai’s rights to the term “email” have been disputed, it was around this time that the word became commonly used to describe electronic mail.

1978: Spam and the Birth of Email Marketing

In 1978, Gary Thuerk, a marketing manager at Digital Equipment Corporation, sent what is considered the first-ever email marketing campaign. He sent a promotional email to 400 recipients via ARPANET to advertise a new computer. His email campaign generated $13 million in sales, marking the start of what we now recognize as email marketing. Though successful, it was also the birth of spam, as Thuerk’s message was unsolicited—a practice that would become increasingly problematic in the years to come.

The rise of email marketing in the late 1990s, particularly with the growth of e-commerce, cemented email’s role as a key tool for businesses worldwide.

1983: The TCP/IP Breakthrough and the Internet

By the early 1980s, email was still confined to local networks or specific institutions. But in 1983, the adoption of TCP/IP protocols by ARPANET changed everything. Developed by Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf, these protocols allowed different networks and computers to communicate with each other over a universal system. This development opened the door to what we now know as the Internet, making email accessible on a much wider scale.

1990s: Email Goes Public

Email’s transition from being an internal communication tool to a global phenomenon happened in the 1990s with the rise of public email services like Hotmail (launched in 1996), Yahoo Mail, and eventually Gmail in 2004. These platforms revolutionized how people interacted with email by making it free and accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

Hotmail’s innovation was allowing people to access their email from any computer, which was a groundbreaking concept at the time. Gmail later disrupted the market by offering 1GB of free storage, a massive increase compared to other services, further expanding email’s reach and usage.

The Role of Email Protocols in Scaling Email Usage

The development of key protocols like SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) in the 1980s and 1990s played a vital role in making email scalable and accessible to users beyond proprietary networks. SMTP standardized how email messages were sent between servers, while POP and IMAP enabled users to retrieve and store emails on their devices.

These protocols remain fundamental to the functioning of email services today.

1993: Mobile Email Takes Root

Email on mobile devices became a reality in 1993 when IBM released the Simon Personal Communicator, the first cell phone with email capabilities. The Simon could send and receive emails, paving the way for future developments in mobile communication. A significant leap occurred in 2002 when BlackBerry launched the 5810 model, which allowed users to access email on the go. This revolutionized how people interacted with email, making it an indispensable business tool.

Today, 41% of emails are opened on mobile phones, underscoring the importance of mobile optimization in email marketing and communication strategies.

Email in the Modern Era: Privacy, Work-Life Balance, and Burnout

As email became ubiquitous, so did concerns about its impact on work-life balance and privacy. In 2017, France introduced the “right to disconnect” law, requiring companies to limit after-hours email to reduce employee burnout. Studies, such as a 2019 report from the University of California, Irvine, have shown that spending extended periods checking email increases stress levels.

Email, while an essential tool, has also become a double-edged sword, with constant connectivity creating a need for balance in today’s digital workplace.

To Sum Up

From Roy Tomlinson’s first message in 1971 to today’s billions of emails sent daily, email has come a long way. It has evolved from a niche tool used by a select few to a global communication platform that touches every aspect of modern life. It powers businesses, keeps people connected, and even drives marketing efforts. As email continues to adapt to new technologies like mobile devices and AI-driven marketing, it remains an integral part of the digital landscape.

Email may be decades old, but its story is far from over.