In the early 70s, Ray Tomlinson thought it would be a neat idea to be able to send messages via the internet, thus he created the e-mail. What began as a method to send messages to each other on the same computer, turned into a method to send messages to anyone who was on the ARPANET internet network. Tomlinson, “a computer engineer for Bolt Beranek and Newman, the company hired by the United States Defense Department to build the first internet in 1968” (Bellis, p. 1), used the @ symbol in order to identify the computer from where the message was received. The first e-mail was sent between two computers sitting side-by-side.
Tomlinson’s invention of the e-mail transformed workplace and personal communication. Over the years, e-mail began to take the place of talking on the telephone, or face-to-face communication. In the work place, e-mail allows one to keep records of all conversations had with co-workers and other businesses. This is something that cannot be done with instant messaging and chat sites. However, I do see instant messaging and chat sites on facebook, etc., replacing e-mails for personal use. E-mail was at one time the next best thing to the telephone, but now instant messages have taken its place. Personally, I enjoy e-mails. If I need an instant answer to something, I will use my phone or IM; otherwise, I use e-mails. E-mails are a big part of my work. We correspond with clients and our drivers by e-mail. If we do not receive an answer in a specific amount of time, then we use the telephone. E-mail is geared toward teens to senior citizens.
Bellis, M. About.com Guide: History of Email & Ray Tomlinson. Retrieved online January 11, 2010 from
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