On May 3, 1978, Gary Thuerk made Internet history by doing something that has never been done over the Internet: send a spam email.
Thuerk worked as a sales and marketing representative for Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), a company that specializes in the manufacturing of minicomputers. DEC computers are actually considered by some computer experts as the basis for the development of Unix. Many people might not recognize the said company because it was eventually bought by bigger computer companies such as Compaq and Hewlett-Packard. Thuerk’s primary reason for composing and sending the spam email was simple: to invite people to come to the presentation of the newest line of DEC computers.
Message content
The message contained in the first spam email is not a phishing lure or an advertising strategy, but an invitation to attend the open house presentation of the latest DECYSTEM-20 computers. According to the message, the company will be holding two product presentations: one at the Hyatt House in Los Angeles and one at Dunfey’s Royal Coach in San Mateo. Both product presentations are going to start around 2:00 pm on May 9 and May 11, respectively.
Email recipients
Thuerk sent the first spam email to 600 addresses — basically the email address of all the people who are using ARPANET at that time. ARPANET, which stands for Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, is the predecessor of Internet. Thuerk, however, was unsuccessful in forwarding his message to 600 users. Because of the limitations of the software used, only about half of the 600 ARPANET users were able to receive the first ever spam email.