In February 2005, three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim founded YouTube. Initially, they envisioned it as a video-based dating site, inspired by the difficulty of sharing videos online at the time. However, when that concept didn't gain traction, they pivoted to creating a platform where anyone could upload and share videos easily. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
The first video ever uploaded to YouTube was titled "Me at the zoo," featuring co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo. This 19-second clip was uploaded on April 23, 2005, and marked the beginning of user-generated content on the platform. (Wikipedia, People.com)
YouTube quickly gained popularity, and by November 2006, it was acquired by Google for $1.65 billion in stock. This acquisition helped YouTube scale its operations and become the global video-sharing platform we know today. (Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Over the years, YouTube has evolved significantly, introducing features like monetization for creators, live streaming, and YouTube Shorts. In 2024, it boasted over 2.7 billion monthly active users and continues to be a central hub for video content worldwide. (Wikipedia)
For a more in-depth look at YouTube's creation, you might find this video featuring co-founder Steve Chen insightful:
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