Timeline for the Text Message

  • The Short Message Service

    The Short Message Service

    The Short Message Service (SMS) concept was first developed by Friedhelm Hillebrand and Bernard Ghillebaert of the GSM cooperation.
  • The first-ever text message

    The first-ever text message

    The first-ever text message, "Merry Christmas," was sent from a computer by British engineer Neil Papworth to Richard Jarvis
  • Cliff Kushler invented T9 predictive text technology

    Cliff Kushler invented T9 predictive text technology

    Cliff Kushler invented T9 predictive text technology, which made typing on a 9-key phone keypad much easier.
  • Nokia released the 9000i Communicator

    Nokia released the 9000i Communicator

    Nokia released the 9000i Communicator, the first mobile device to feature a full QWERTY keyboard.
  • Text messaging volumes began to skyrocket

    Text messaging volumes began to skyrocket

    Text messaging volumes began to skyrocket, becoming a mainstream form of communication
  • "Text-to-vote" campaigns

    "Text-to-vote" campaigns

    "Text-to-vote" campaigns, such as those used by American Idol, helped integrate texting into popular culture and mass media interaction.
  • Most used communication device

    Most used communication device

    Texting became the most widely used mobile data service worldwide, used by 74% of all mobile phone users. The first iPhone was also released this year, revolutionizing smartphone technology.
  • Introduced Swype

    Introduced Swype

    Cliff Kushler, the inventor of T9, introduced Swype, a technology that allowed users to drag their fingers across touch screens to type words
  • Siri

    Siri

    Siri help send texts with only using your voice
  • rise of instant messaging apps

    rise of instant messaging apps

    The rise of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger began to surpass traditional SMS usage in many parts of the world
  • Texting

    Texting

    There are over 23 billion text sent out every day