The First Email Ever Sent Was Just ‘QWERTYUIOP’: Ray Tomlinson’s 1971 Test
The world’s first email, sent in 1971 by computer engineer Ray Tomlinson, wasn’t a profound message—it was a simple string of letters, possibly “QWERTYUIOP.” Yet, this seemingly meaningless test quietly ignited a communication revolution that reshaped how billions connect today. This article explores the birth of email, Tomlinson’s innovations including the iconic “@” symbol, and the humble beginnings of a tool we now take for granted.