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What You'll Learn
Before diving into deliverability and inbox strategies, we need to understand the foundation: What is email, where did it come from, and how did it evolve into the communication tool we use today? This lesson traces the origins of email, its technological milestones, and why it remains essential in
📖 What Are Emails? And Their History
Lesson 1
2 min read
Interactive
Email, short for electronic mail, is the exchange of digital messages between people using computers or other devices connected to the internet. It has become one of the most widely used forms of communication, powering personal conversations, business operations, marketing, and more.
The Origins of Email
- The concept of sending electronic text messages dates back to the 1960s, when researchers used primitive computer networks to send files and notes.
- In 1971, Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer, sent the first networked message using the @ symbol to separate the username from the destination computer. This marked the true birth of modern email.
- Through the 1970s–1980s, email spread across ARPANET (the early internet) and became a critical communication tool in universities and research labs.
Key Milestones in Email History
- 1982: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) was standardized — the foundation of email transmission still in use today.
- 1990s: Webmail services like Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail made email accessible to everyday users.
- 2000s: Email became central to business communication, while spam also exploded, leading to new filters and security protocols.
- Today: Billions of emails are sent daily, and despite new messaging apps, email remains the backbone of digital identity (for logins, official communication, transactions).
Why Email Matters
- Universal: Almost every internet user has at least one email address.
- Asynchronous: Messages don’t require both parties to be online at the same time.
- Identity layer: Email addresses are now the digital passport for most online accounts.
Key Takeaways:
- Email is older than the modern internet.
- Ray Tomlinson’s use of @ in 1971 defined the system we still use today.
- Despite new technologies, email continues to be a central and trusted communication tool.
🥋 Sensei Tip:
Think of your email address as your digital home address. Just as letters reach you physically, email is the place where all digital interactions find you.
⏱️ Est. reading time: 2 minutes
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