The history of social media

Due to the sudden explosion of Facebook and Twitter, it’s easy to think that social media is new – but in fact, it isn’t new at all. The history of social media can be traced all the way back to the 1950’s, and then it eventually exploded into mainstream culture, the underground cultures have been using it for decades. Whilst the early forays into social media were largely for technophiles and hackers only, by the seventies online social interaction had entered the mainstream.

Telephones

Contrary to popular mainstream opinions, social media didn’t begin with computers; rather, it began with the telephone. Sure, a telephone itself is not a piece of social media but phone phreaking is, and it gained popularity in the 1950s’s. Phone phreaks were accused of fraud, but they were simply technophiles who were addicted to information. In a nutshell, a phone phreak developed homemade electronic devices that allowed them to generate tones that meant they could make free phone calls. They also gained access to the back end of the phone system. Through sheer will and invention, these phone freaks actually used test lines to host virtual seminars. Pretty cool huh?

Podcasts

You think podcasts are a 21st century thing, don’t you? Well, that isn’t quite true. In the history of social media, experimental podcasts were first developed back in the seventies when hackers hacked into corporate voice mail systems known as code lines. Phone phreaks would delve into these mailboxes and record a wealth of useful phone content. There would be hacked calling card codes which allowed people to make free phone calls, as well as plugs for other cold lines. This was very useful for certain kinds of people as you can imagine.

Bulletin Board Systems

The first ever Bulletin Board System (BBS) was launched in 1979 by a chap called Ward Christensen. These early BBS were relatively small severs that relied on personal computers attached to a phone modem for their power. BBS houses social discussions on their message boards, as well as other interactive stuff, such as online games and downloads. There was no colour though, nor any graphics, so it was all a bit cold, dark and impersonal. Kind of like a sci-fi version of Facebook. Hmm that paints a strange looking picture doesn’t it? Still, the BBS is an important step in the history of social media.

Commercial Online Services

Commercial Online Services were first launched in 1979 and were still being developed until 2001. Services such as CompuServe Prodigy were the first truly corporate attempt at bringing together, an online interactive social experience to the mainstream. They were more mainstream than BBS and were also safer and better moderated. Discussions and networking was promoted although people did have to pay – CompuServe charged $6 an hour, which back in the eighties was a lot. AOL was then a later Commercial Online Service.

The Internet

A world away from the days of phone phreaking, the Internet is a phenomenon that was launched in 1991, and which now plays host to the most popular mainstream forms of social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so many more. The World Wide Web is by now actually in its third generation. Web 1.0 was all about connectivity; web 2.0 was all about interaction (social media) and web 3.0 is the mobile era. Out of the Internet grew Instant Messenger, which brought people closer together via the means of a few characters, before P2P helped us swap files. Then came along social networking and social news websites, both of these being the real game changers. Nowadays, many of us can’t even go a single hour without flicking through our social media profiles. You could say, it’s a little addictive to know what’s happening in everyone’s world!

The history of social media is certainly an interesting one, but the real question is, what next? Where does social media go from here? It can’t possibly get any more mainstream or interactive that what it already is, or can it? Thanks to the innovation found in Silicon Valley, you can bet your bottom dollar that there are still a few more surprises to be had, and we can’t wait!

Imagine having been the first business in your industry to jump on Facebook and start building your presence, it would have put you in a fantastic position today! Well the world of social media marketing is awash with opportunities, so are you going to invest and take yours?? If you’re ready to make your business presence known, get in touch with the team at Easy Consulting. We’ll have you standing out in no time!