AOL: The Rise and Fall of the First Internet Empire

AOL was one of the early pioneers of the Internet in the mid-1990s, and the most recognized brand on the web in the U.S It originally provided a dial-up service to millions of Americans, as well as providing a web portal, e-mail, instant messaging and later a web browser following its purchase of Netscape. At the height of its popularity, it purchased the media conglomerate Time Warner in the largest merger in U.S. history. AOL rapidly declined thereafter, partly due to the decline of dial-up to broadband.

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[EdgedShadow]

My wife still uses an AOL email address. I like to think that every time she logs on a light comes on in their headquarters and the one guy still working there puts the noose away for another day.

[zeckj]

man I remember getting so excited when I dialled up to get into the Internet. it was like opening a portal to go into a brave new world.

[wonkachocolates]

Ping : "You Got Mail." What an iconic sound byte of history...!!!

[messiahblack]

Who remembers when you'd see those damn aol discs EVERYWHERE...

[RizzoDaManiac]

I miss the 90’s just enough tech to be satisfied, but not enough to be absorbed in it 24/7.

[Saynt]

I remember having AOL for nearly a year for free... every time I called up to cancel they would offer me a free month... every single time...for 11 months straight. On the 12th month they finally gave up lol.

[helloyall]

Before MySpace and Facebook, there was AOL and chat rooms. RIP AOL chat rooms! Had lots of fun and met great people.

[Gnik]

I miss that creaky door opening & closing letting you know people are on

[uh-zoei]

You forgot to mention the famous or infamous AOL chat rooms.

[LGR]

Glad I'm not the only one giving AOL a retrospective lately, it's a fascinating story that deserves telling :)

[Tubb]

almost 19yrs ago i found my wife on AOL. They had a dating channel called @AOL Love. 3kids later and still together

[NightRider]

"WOULD YOU GET OFF THE PHONE! I'M TRYING TO USE THE INTERNET!"

[billybaxter]

I was honestly shocked when I heard even in 2009 they had 5 million subscribers.

[Kuronekaux]

One time, back in 1998, me being 7. I forgot to log off of AOL, and it ran for 8 Hours over night. RIP my phone bill.

[OfficialRedTeamReview]

It's sad how some people are still paying for AOL because they believe that is the only way they can use the internet. My buddy's grandfather still pays for it and we tried explaining things to him but he wouldn't listen. But I will give them props for still holding on to my 5th grade e-mail account!

[ceeIoc]

Those were the days! AOL chat rooms. Just talking to someone online was amazing.

[Newjourney]

they were so successful at marketing that growing up as a kid, I literally thought that AOL was THE internet and the only way to access the world wide web. lol

[jc_malone]

Its that high screeched sound when connecting to the internet. I was so excited like please work, please work...

[Neeroking]

When tryna download your favorite song on a 56k modem took like 8 hours and it ended up beeing a fake ass song or it wouldnt even work. Lol

[mikeodriscoll]

i miss aol talking to people in the chat rooms and hearing them open and close the door on your buddy list.