Email (SMTP)

Email, or electronic mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages between people using electronic devices. It operates on a store-and-forward model, asynchronously delivering messages across computer networks, primarily the internet.

Key facts

First appeared: 1971
Category: technology
Problem solved: Email was created to solve the problem of inefficient, time-consuming, and geographically constrained communication, enabling users to send asynchronous messages directly to specific individuals on different computers within a network, without requiring both parties to be online simultaneously.
Platforms: Web browsers (for webmail), Mobile operating systems (iOS, Android), Mainframe and minicomputer systems (historically), Desktop operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Related technologies

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP)
Domain Name System (DNS)
POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3)
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)
Web browsers (for webmail clients)

Notable users

Non-profit organizations
Educational institutions
Individuals globally
Government agencies
Corporations and businesses of all sizes