YouTube Foundation

YouTube was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The idea for YouTube came about when the founders had difficulty sharing videos taken at a dinner party. They saw the potential for a platform where anyone could upload, share, and view videos easily.

The platform officially launched in November 2005, allowing users to upload, share, and view videos for free. YouTube quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and the ability for anyone to become a content creator.

In November 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. This acquisition helped YouTube expand its infrastructure and reach a larger audience through integration with Google's products and services.

Over the years, YouTube has evolved into one of the largest video-sharing platforms in the world, with billions of users and a vast library of videos covering a wide range of topics. The platform has also introduced features like live streaming, monetization for creators, and personalized recommendations to enhance the user experience.

Today, YouTube is a cornerstone of online video content, shaping internet culture and providing a platform for creators to share their voices with the world.

***Time used for creation of this chart is courtesy of Astro databank (astro.com)