Check out our timeline of the most common IMs, their release dates and new features that swept the world—-and IM users—-over.
1970s
Developers create peer-to-peer protocol, allowing users to send and receive private messages from others logging in to the same computer. Later versions allowed users to contact each other in real-time over a local network.
August, 1982
Quantum Link, a software package for the Commodore 64 computer, allows users to send online messages for an additional per-minute fee.
1983
Washington High School student Mark Jenks creates "Talk," giving students and teachers the opportunity to communicate through digital messaging boards and first-generation e-mail boxes.
August, 1988
Internet Relay Chat is created by Jarkko Oikarinen, giving the world a means to communicate through text-based messaging in multi-user groups called "channels."
October, 1991
Quantum Link changes its name to America Online; begins development of AOL software, including AIM.
November, 1996
Mirabilis releases ICQ, which allows users to send real-time instant messages over the Internet.
May, 1997
AIM debuts, featuring IM, chatrooms and file sharing capabilities.
March 9, 1998
Yahoo! Pager launches; new IM features include buddy alerts, the ability to block unwanted contacts and greater profile personalization options.
June 8, 1998
AOL acquires Mirabilis for $407 million, placing ICQ under the AOL family of products.
July 22, 1999
Windows launches MSN Messenger, featuring simple IM capabilities, a contact list and access to AIM buddies.
May, 2000
The multi-protocol IM client Jabber launches, allowing IM users to access all their buddy lists within one client for the first time.
Nov. 29, 2000
Trillian, a multi-protocol IM, gives users the ability to chat with friends on AIM, ICQ and MSN Messenger within one client, in addition to giving the buddy list greater organization through color coding.
August 24, 2005
Google launches Google Talk, featuring IM capabilities, contact lists and interoperability within Gmail.
Dec. 13, 2005
MSN Messenger changes its name to Windows Live Messenger, offering offline messaging, stronger search capabilities, a modified contact list and greater personalization options.
