1971 founded Standing
protocols
the moat is real
54 years 324 days and counting
Ray Tomlinson sent the first networked email in 1971. The @ is still the login.
Why it lasted
- It is the only identity layer the internet agreed on.
- Every 'email killer' became another inbox that still forwards to email.
- SMTP is ugly, federated, and older than the web. That is the moat.
Times it almost ended
- Lotus Notes, Exchange-as-the-world, Wave, Inbox, Slack, ChatGPT: all tried to be the new email. Email kept the receipt.
What would finish it
- A universal identity that is not an address. Phone numbers tried. They became 2FA for email.
Questions
Is Email still up?
Yes, with a Standing verdict: the moat is real. Founded 1971.
How long has Email been around?
Email has been up since 1971-10-01.
Why did Email survive?
It is the only identity layer the internet agreed on.
Could Email still die?
A universal identity that is not an address. Phone numbers tried. They became 2FA for email.