The @ was selected because it was on the keyboard but wasn’t used much, except in pricing, as in 12 widgets @ $1. And in English, it was spoken as “at,” which fit the meaning in an email address. But it’s been around since about the 14th century, used as above and as a symbol for various units of weight. Different names in different languages, the rose, the worm, etc.
Ah, we’ve lost so many great creators over the years. The creator of the word ‘byte’. The creator of CTRL-ALT-DEL. The creator of C. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (whoever she is).
Flash Gordon over 8 years ago
@ don’t forget the & sign, and especially the $ sign.
Nachikethass over 8 years ago
And Shiv Ayyadurai?
cynickle over 8 years ago
and most of all ‘#’ sign
sbwertz over 8 years ago
All Ayyadurai invented was the word “email”
MeGoNow Premium Member over 8 years ago
The @ was selected because it was on the keyboard but wasn’t used much, except in pricing, as in 12 widgets @ $1. And in English, it was spoken as “at,” which fit the meaning in an email address. But it’s been around since about the 14th century, used as above and as a symbol for various units of weight. Different names in different languages, the rose, the worm, etc.
1956monkey over 8 years ago
as ampersands through the hourglass, so flow the e-mails of our lives…
Pharmakeus Ubik over 8 years ago
He also put the bang into email !
rekam Premium Member over 8 years ago
What a nice tribute.
Kirk McCoy over 8 years ago
You better watch out, that symbol has been copywrited by MOMA.
pschearer Premium Member over 8 years ago
Ah, we’ve lost so many great creators over the years. The creator of the word ‘byte’. The creator of CTRL-ALT-DEL. The creator of C. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (whoever she is).
purpleriver over 8 years ago
I think we should write his name R@y Tomlinson