Blog Entry #7: Press Pound


     The hashtag has evolved form a simple symbol that was used to indicate numbers, or pounds, to a powerful digital tool that shapes how we interact on social media. It can even help us find certain content. 

From Pound Sign to Digital Tool

    The pound sign which has been turned into "hashtag" is now a powerful digital tool that has a surprising history. Most of us associate it with social media, but the symbol actually predates the digital age. In the world prior to internet, the "hashtag" had a multitude of uses. It was previously referred to as the "pound-sign". On telephones, the pound sign was part of the keypad, used for navigating automated menus and marked the end of a sequence. 
    In 2007, Chris Messina, a tech guy who was kind of ahead of the curve, proposed using the pound sign for something different. Instead of just being this random symbol on your phone, he introduced using it on Twitter as a way to group similar posts. Think of it like tagging your posts to say, "Hey, I'm talking about this too!" It was a simple idea, but it took off fast. 


    Hashtags are a huge part of how we communicate online. Want to find memes about your favorite show? There's most likely a hashtag for that. Looking for the latest dance challenges on TikTok? Well, you guessed it, hashtag to the rescue. So, next time you hit "send" on that post or tweet, remember you're using a tool that's been around for decades, and has evolved from a boring "pound sign" to one of the most powerful symbols in digital culture. Maybe your hashtag will break the internet one day!


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