On April Fool’s Day in 2004, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin surprised the world by unveiling something real and groundbreaking – Gmail. The free email service offered a whopping 1GB of storage per account, a revolutionary concept at that time.
Former Google executive Marissa Mayer emphasized the key features of Gmail, which included ample storage, lightning-fast search capabilities, and impressive speed. However, the launch of Gmail was met with skepticism and confusion, as some believed it was just another elaborate prank by Google.
It took three years of development, under the internal name Project Caribou, before Gmail was officially launched. The service quickly gained popularity and now boasts a staggering 1.8 billion active accounts, providing users with 15GB of free storage. Despite this generous offering, some users still find it insufficient for their needs.
The success of Gmail played a significant role in expanding Google’s internet empire, paving the way for products like Google Maps, Google Docs, YouTube, the Chrome browser, and the Android operating system. However, Gmail’s explicit intention to scan email content for better ad targeting raised concerns about Google’s data collection practices for advertising purposes.
Initially, Gmail had limited capacity and could only support 10,000 users due to a scarcity of resources. This led to a surge in demand for Gmail invites, creating an air of exclusivity around the service with invitations selling for as much as $250 on eBay.
Eventually, on Valentine’s Day in 2007, Google opened Gmail to all users, marking a significant milestone in the service’s history. To add a touch of humor, on April Fool’s Day in the same year, Google introduced a joke feature called Gmail Paper, allowing users to have their email archives printed and mailed to them – showcasing Google’s playful nature.
Gmail has come a long way since its inception in 2004, revolutionizing the way we communicate online and solidifying its place as one of the most popular email services worldwide.
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