You might have heard of the word “meme” before. It’s a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it refers to a particular type of internet culture. Memes are images, videos, or other media that people share online, often with humorous captions or other commentary. But when did this phenomenon start? When were memes created?
The Origin of the Word “Meme”
The word “meme” was first coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book “The Selfish Gene.” In the book, Dawkins used the term to describe an idea or behavior that spreads from person to person within a culture. He compared memes to genes, which also spread and mutate over time.
The Early Days of Internet Memes
Internet memes as we know them today first began to emerge in the 1990s. One of the earliest examples was the “Dancing Baby” meme, which featured a 3D animated baby dancing to a song. This meme was widely shared through email and became a sensation at the time.
Another early internet meme was the “Hamster Dance,” which was a website featuring animated hamsters dancing to a catchy tune. This meme was similar to the Dancing Baby in that it was shared widely via email and became a popular sensation among early internet users.
The Rise of Image Macros
One of the most popular types of internet memes today is the image macro. This is a type of meme that features an image with a caption or other text overlay. The image macro format first became popular in the mid-2000s, and has since become a staple of internet culture.
One of the earliest and most popular image macro memes was the “I Can Has Cheezburger?” meme, which featured pictures of cats with humorous captions in broken English. This meme became incredibly popular and spawned many imitators and spin-offs.
The Evolution of Memes
Since the early days of internet memes, the phenomenon has continued to evolve and change. New types of memes have emerged, and old ones have fallen out of favor. Some memes have become so popular that they have entered into mainstream culture, while others remain more niche.
Today, memes are a ubiquitous part of internet culture. They are shared on social media platforms, in online forums, and through messaging apps. Some memes are created by individuals, while others are created by brands or other organizations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the term “meme” was first coined in 1976 by Richard Dawkins, internet memes as we know them today didn’t really start to emerge until the 1990s. Since then, memes have continued to evolve and change, becoming a ubiquitous part of internet culture. Whether you love them or hate them, it’s clear that memes are here to stay.