Email, or electronic mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages between people over electronic communication networks. The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson, an American computer scientist. Email quickly became a popular way to communicate, and it is now one of the most widely used forms of communication in the world.
Email messages are typically sent from one email address to another. Email addresses are unique identifiers that are assigned to individual users. Messages can contain text, images, and other files.
To send an email, users typically need to log into an client, such as Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo Mail. Once logged in, users can create a new message and enter the recipient's address, the subject line, and the body of the message. Users can also attach files to their messages.
When an email is sent, it is routed through a series of computers until it reaches the recipient's email server. The recipient's email server then stores the message until the recipient is ready to read it.
To read a message, users typically need to log into their email client. Once logged in, users can view a list of all) of their unread emails. Users can then open individual emails to read them.
Email is a convenient and efficient way to communicate with people all over the world. It is also a versatile form of communication that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as personal, business , and education.
Here are some of the benefits of using email:
- It is fast and convenient. Email messages can be sent and received within seconds.
- It is inexpensive. Email is typically free to use, or it is included in the cost of Internet access.
- It is versatile. Email can be used for a variety of purposes, such as personal, business, and education.
- It is efficient. Email messages can be sent to multiple people at the same time.
- It is reliable. Email messages are typically delivered reliably, and they can be stored for a long time.
History of Email
The history of email can be traced back to the early 1960s, when computer scientists began developing systems for sending messages between different computers. In 1965, MIT researchers developed a system called MAILBOX, which allowed users to leave messages for each other on a shared computer.
In 1971, Ray Tomlinson, an American computer scientist, sent the first email message between two different computers on the ARPANET, a precursor to the internet. Tomlinson's email message was simple, but it marked a major breakthrough in the development of electronic communication.
Over the next few years, email systems continued to develop and become more sophisticated. In 1973, the first email protocol, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), was developed. SMTP is still the standard protocol used for sending email messages today.
In the early 1980s, email began to be used by commercial organizations and individuals. In 1984, BITNET, a network of university computers, was launched. BITNET allowed students and faculty at different universities to send email messages to each other.
In 1986, the National Science Foundation (NSF) launched NSFNet, a high-speed network that connected universities and research institutions across the United States. NSFNet helped to make email more accessible to researchers and students.
In the early 1990s, the commercial internet began to emerge. Internet service providers (ISPs) began offering email services to consumers. In 1993, Marc Andreessen and Eric Bina released Mosaic, the first web browser. Mosaic made it possible for users to access email messages through a web interface.
In the mid-1990s, web-based email services such as Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail began to gain popularity. Web-based email services allowed users to access their email messages from anywhere with an internet connection.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, email became the standard form of electronic communication for businesses and individuals. Today, email is used by billions of people around the world to communicate with each other.
Email has had a major impact on the way we communicate. It has made it possible to communicate with people all over the world quickly and easily. Email has also changed the way we do business and the way we learn.
Here are some of the key milestones in the history of email:
- 1965: MIT researchers develop MAILBOX, the first email system.
- 1971: Ray Tomlinson sends the first email message between two different computers on the ARPANET.
- 1973: The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is developed.
- 1984: BITNET, a network of university computers, is launched.
- 1986: The National Science Foundation (NSF) launches NSFNet, a high-speed network that connects universities and research institutions across the United States.
- 1990: The commercial internet begins to emerge.
- 1993: Marc Andreessen and Eric Bina release Mosaic, the first web browser.
- 1993: Web-based email services such as Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail begin to gain popularity.
- 1990s-2000s: Email becomes the standard form of electronic communication for businesses and individuals.
Email has come a long way since Ray Tomlinson sent the first email message in 1971. Today, email is an essential tool for businesses and individuals around the world.
Top Email Platforms
According to Statista, the top email platforms in 2023 are:
- Gmail (1.5 billion active users)
- Outlook.com (450 million active users)
- Yahoo! Mail (225 million active users)
- Zoho Mail (70 million active users)
- AOL Mail (65 million active users)
- ProtonMail (50 million active users)
i- Cloud Mail (35 million active users) - Tutanota (25 million active users)
- Yandex Mail (25 million active users)
- Mail.ru (20 million active users)
- GMX Mail (15 million active users)
These email platforms offer a variety of features, such as:
- Web-based access
- Mobile apps
- Large storage capacity
- Spam filtering
- Virus protection
- Search functionality
- Contact management
- Calendar
- Tasks
- Notes
When choosing an email platform, it is important to consider your needs and preferences. Some factors to consider include:
- Ease of use: The email platform should be easy to use and navigate.
- Features: The email platform should have the features that you need, such as web-based access, mobile apps, large storage capacity, and spam filtering.
- Security: The email platform should have strong security) features to protect your data.
- Price: The email platform should be affordable.