The At Sign Was Saved From Obscurity

Summary

This video explores the history and evolution of the '@' symbol, from its obscure origins in the 14th century to its pivotal role in modern communication. Initially used in trade and commerce, the symbol fell into disuse until Ray Tomlinson resurrected it in 1971 for email addresses, revolutionizing online communication. The '@' has since permeated social media, with various creative names reflecting its global impact, all thanks to Tomlinson's innovative use of an underutilized symbol.

Takeaways

• 📜 The at sign (@) has a history dating back to 1354, with its oldest known use found in the Manasses Chronicle, a Bulgarian translation of a Greek religious text.
• 🌐 Initially, the at sign was used in place of the capital Alpha in the word 'Amen', a usage quite different from its modern functions in email addresses and social media handles.
• 🔍 The symbol's origins are uncertain, with theories suggesting it might come from the word 'adoba', an old unit of weight, or from the Latin word 'ad', meaning 'toward'.
• 💼 Historically, the at sign was primarily used in trade and commerce, often replacing the phrase 'at a rate of' in market signs and accounting documents.
• 📈 The at sign was known as the 'commercial at' in the past, reflecting its association with business transactions.
• 📰 The symbol experienced a period of obscurity, particularly during the 18th to 20th centuries, as it was not featured on many typewriters and fell out of common use.
• 🛠 Ray Tomlinson, an engineer at BBN Technologies, is credited with reviving the at sign in 1971 for use in email addresses, selecting it for its uniqueness and availability on keyboards.
• 🌐 Tomlinson's innovation made the at sign a key component in modern communication, as it was used to denote both the sender and the computer source in email addresses.
• 🌟 The at sign's resurgence in the digital age has led to its adoption in social media platforms for user identification, further cementing its place in contemporary communication.
• 🙏 The video concludes with a tribute to Ray Tomlinson, who passed away in 2016, and a call to support the channel on Patreon for continued content creation.

Q & A

What is the at sign (@) most commonly associated with in modern communication?

The at sign is most commonly associated with modern communication in the context of email addresses and as a symbol to signify users on various social media platforms.

When was the oldest recorded use of the at sign (@) found?

The oldest recorded use of the at sign dates back to 1354, found in a Bulgarian translation of the Manasses Chronicle.

How was the at sign used in the Manasses Chronicle?

In the Manasses Chronicle, the at sign was used in place of the capital Alpha in the Greek word for 'Amen', which is quite different from its modern usage.

What was the at sign's primary usage in the past before its association with email?

The at sign was primarily used in trade and commerce, often in place of the phrase 'at a rate of' on market signs or account documents.

What are some theories about the origin of the at sign's shape?

Some theories suggest the at sign may have originated from the word 'adoba', an old word for a unit of weight, or from the Latin word 'ad', with the 'd' in 'ad' morphing into a squiggle around the 'a'. Another theory is that it comes from the old French word 'à', with the accent mark swooping around the letter.

Why did the at sign fall into obscurity for a period?

The at sign fell into obscurity due to changing communication technology, as it wasn't featured on many typewriters, which became the dominant writing tool, leading to less usage in written language.

Who is credited with reviving the use of the at sign in modern communication?

Ray Tomlinson is credited with reviving the use of the at sign when he used it in email addresses in 1971 while working on a computer network for the US government.

What was the significance of the at sign in the context of early email addresses according to the video?

In early email addresses, the at sign was used to signify both the sender's name and the computer they were using, providing a unique identifier for each user.

What are some of the creative names for the at sign mentioned in the video?

Some creative names for the at sign mentioned in the video include 'strudel', 'whirlpool', 'monkey tail', 'welk', 'worm', and 'little doger'.

How did the at sign become a part of social media usernames?

The use of the at sign in social media usernames seems like a natural extension of its use in email addresses, further popularizing the symbol in modern communication.

What other meanings has the at sign taken on besides its use in email and social media?

The at sign has been used as a painting symbol, to make certain words gender-neutral in Spanish, and by some anarchists in place of their circle a symbol.