Who Invented Email?

Very few people would dispute the fact that email is one of the most helpful technological inventions available. Actually, email has become one of the most productive ways for individuals to communicate. Unlike snail mail, which takes forever to arrive, or telephone which is not always the most convenient way to communicate information, there are many advantages to using email. In many ways email has become the preferred method of communication for many people that desire a fast, efficient way to communicate with others.

• As with many computer related creations it can be very difficult to say who invented email. The creation of email is in many ways linked to the development of the Internet. There are many people that believe that email occurred before the conception of the Internet.
• Some computer historians link the creation of email to MIT’s Compatible Time Sharing System (CTSS) which dates back to 1961. This system allowed computer users to share information between themselves in a very effective manner through the use of one main computer.
• Over time, the technology developed quite extensively, allowing people and companies with similar or compatible operating systems to effectively send messages or electronic communications between each other.
• Eventually the development of ARPANET mail by Ray Tomlinson was considered by many the beginning of what is the modern email that is used by people all over the world today. The ARAPANET mail was sent between two computers that were placed next to each other.
• The ARAPANET system increased both the functionality and popularity of email when it was created in 1969. The future development of email is based largely upon this system. Thus, the creation of email spans many years and was actually invented by many different people that helped to perfect the email system over many years.

The Significance of the Invention of Email

• The creation of email has revolutionized the way that people communicate with one another. Many people like the fact that they are able to easily send information at any time and it will reach their recipient immediately.
• As more people have become to rely on the importance of fast, efficient communication, email has become the preferred method of relaying information. Unlike hand written letters or telephone calls, email can be accessed from any device that is connected to the Internet. Thus, people have so many options for communicating information nearly everywhere. From a computer, phone or PDA, emails can be sent and viewed.
• In fact, email has become so popular that it is the preferred way to send all types of communication. People only use snail mail when it is very necessary to do so. This is reflected in the decrease in pieces of mail that are delivered through the postal system.
• Also, email is more convenient for those that want to communicate without having to have physical contact. For example, many people are able to obtain the latest in developments at work and in other places as a result of email. People can check their phones and their PDAs during a meeting for an email update as opposed to answering a phone call which could disrupt a meeting.

The Impact of Email on Culture

When one thinks of who invented email it is important to realize that email has significantly changed the way people communicate on an everyday basis. In fact, email is the predecessor to other forms of electronic communication such as texting.

It is far more likely for people to choose to communicate in a non-verbal manner through email when it is necessary to relay information. Email also provides a very effective way for people to track what they send as opposed to verbal communication, which is always subjected to the inaccuracy of human interpretation.