Happy 20th Birthday to the text message - KMSP-TV

Happy 20th Birthday to the text message

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ATLANTA -

It is something millions of Americans do everyday without a second thought, but there was a time just a generation ago where you couldn't pick up a cell phone and send a text message to your friend.

Well, 20 years later and millions of Americans have very strong thumbs from the amount of text messages sent. Many source actually put the text message the most used method of communication.

The first text messages using Short Message Service, or SMS for short, were sent December 3, 1992. According to a BBC article marking the 10 year anniversary, the first modern text message was "MERRY CHRISTMAS" sent between colleagues at Vodafone.

It took about seven years for the general public to really get their hands on the technology and it make their own, but we eventually did. And we made it our own, completely changing our culture forever 160 character message at a time... for better or worse.

To really see the impact texting has had on our culture, just do a quick search of myfoxatlanta.com:

It changed our habits...
"When is it the wrong time to check a text message?"

It changed our behavior...
"Study: We Lie More When Texting"

It charged our addiction...
"Are you afraid to be without your phone?"

It changed our junk mail...
"FCC considers regulating unsolicited marketing texts"

It changed our language and writing...
"Some states preserve penmanship despite tech gains"

It changed our laws...
"Nearly 1,300 drivers convicted of texting in Ga."

It changed our... Um... Courtship?
"Supreme Court Sexting Case Could Have Major Impact"

But thankfully, it also changed our humor (or is that our LOL?) thanks to a little innovation called auto correct. There are a plethora of sites out there dedicated to auto correct making humorous, if not wildly inappropriate slip ups in the way we communicate with each other.

So, on this birthday of the text message, we want to know what your favorite auto correct moments are between you and a friend. Give us your answer at facebook.com/FOX5Atlanta.

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