Origins of the emoji

Over 10 billion emojis are used every day around the world. This is equivalent to nearly seven million emojis per minute.

Think emojis are just cute little pictures for texting? Think again! These tiny icons have a surprising origin that's changing how we communicate worldwide. 🌍

Ever wondered why that yellow smiley face looks so... well, Japanese? There's a reason for that! Back in the late 1990s, a Japanese artist named Shigetaka Kurita faced a unique challenge. How could he make mobile communication more efficient and expressive on tiny screens?

Kurita's solution? A set of 176 simple, 12x12 pixel images that could convey complex emotions and ideas at a glance. These became the world's first emojis, inspired by manga, Chinese characters, and street signs. Talk about thinking outside the text box!

But here's the kicker: emojis weren't meant for global domination. They were designed specifically for a Japanese mobile internet platform called i-mode. Who knew these little guys would break free and conquer the world?

As smartphones spread globally, so did emojis. They crossed language barriers, cultural divides, and even made it into dictionaries. From 176 icons to over 3,600 today, emojis have come a long way.

So next time you send a 😊, remember: you're using a Japanese invention that's revolutionizing global communication. Who says big changes can't come in small packages?

I hope you enjoyed this video and it added value to your day. Check out the rest of my "surprising origin videos".