Today, 20 years ago, a Vodafone engineer received the world’s first text message: Merry Christmas. In the two decades since, texting has not only become a normal part of daily life, but it has also shaped our language (for better or worse) and the ways in which we interact with people.

Though the first text message wouldn’t be sent until 1992, the idea was born in a Copenhagen pizzeria in 1984. Eight years later, the idea became a reality and today, people just in the U.S. will send at least 2.5 billion texts. (More fascinating text-related factoids.) When I was 20 I just played Diablo II a lot and spent my money on fast food and movies. It’s safe to say that text messaging is wildly more popular and successful than any other living 20-year-old, and for that, we salute you.

Imagine for a moment that texting had never been invented. How would your life change, and would you prefer it that way or not? 

[via @mental_floss, shinyshiny and Nokia Conversations]

[image via nokia]