It’s hard to imagine the internet without memes. These humorous images or videos with captions have become a ubiquitous part of online culture. But where did they come from? When did memes start?
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The Origin of the Word “Meme”
The word “meme” was actually coined by biologist Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. Dawkins used the term to describe cultural ideas or symbols that spread from person to person, much like genes spread through a population.
While Dawkins was referring to the spread of cultural ideas in general, the term “meme” eventually came to refer specifically to internet memes, which began to emerge in the early days of the World Wide Web.
Early Internet Memes
One of the earliest internet memes was the “Dancing Baby,” which originated as a 3D animation in 1996. The video of the dancing baby was shared widely on email lists and eventually made its way to the mainstream media.
Other early internet memes included “All Your Base Are Belong To Us,” which originated from a poorly translated video game in the early 2000s, and the “Hamster Dance,” a website featuring a looping animation of hamsters dancing to a catchy tune.
The Rise of Image Memes
While early internet memes were often based on videos or animations, the rise of social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram led to the popularity of image memes. These memes typically feature a humorous image with a caption that pokes fun at a cultural phenomenon or current event.
One of the most popular image memes of all time is the “I Can Has Cheezburger?” cat, which first appeared on a blog in 2007. The image of a cat with a misspelled caption quickly went viral and spawned countless imitations and spin-offs.
Memes in the Age of Viral Videos
As online video became more popular, memes began to shift away from still images and towards short video clips. One of the most famous examples of this is the “Gangnam Style” dance, which was a global sensation in 2012.
Other popular viral videos that spawned memes include the “Harlem Shake” dance, which originated in a video by DJ Baauer, and the “What Does The Fox Say?” song by Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis.
The Future of Memes
While it’s impossible to predict the future of internet culture, memes are likely here to stay. As long as people continue to share funny images and videos with their friends and followers online, memes will continue to evolve and spread.
Some experts predict that memes will become even more interactive in the future, with users creating their own memes using augmented reality or virtual reality technology. Others believe that memes will continue to be a way for people to express themselves and connect with others online.
What People Are Saying About When Memes Started
“I remember the early days of the internet when memes were just starting to emerge. It’s amazing to see how far they’ve come and how they’ve become such an important part of online culture.” – John, 42
“I think memes are a great way to connect with people and express yourself online. They’re funny, relatable, and often provide a much-needed laugh in a world that can be pretty serious sometimes.” – Sarah, 28
“Memes are just the latest example of how technology has changed the way we communicate and connect with each other. I’m excited to see where they go in the future.” – Tom, 35
