The History of ICQ: From Humble Beginnings to Global Popularity

Mirabilis was founded in 1996 by a group of five ambitious Israelis who shared a passion for technology and innovation. Yair Goldfinger, Sefi Vigiser, Amnon Amir, Arik Vardi, and his father Yossi Vardi came together to create a revolutionary instant messaging service that would change the way people communicated online.

The first version of ICQ was released in November 1996, and it quickly gained popularity as the first Internet-wide instant messaging service. The program's name is an adaptation of the Morse code callout 'CQ,' which translates to 'calling any station.' This clever play on words also serves as a homophone for the phrase 'I seek you,' reflecting the program's purpose: to connect people across the globe.

ICQ's innovative technology and user-friendly interface made it an instant hit, with over 100 million accounts registered by 2001. The company's success did not go unnoticed, and in June 1998, America Online (AOL) acquired Mirabilis for a whopping $287 million. AOL continued to develop and improve ICQ, making it available on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Web, and mobile phones.

In April 2010, AOL sold ICQ to Digital Sky Technologies for $187.5 million. Since then, ICQ has remained a popular instant messaging service, allowing users to connect with friends, family, and colleagues from all over the world.

Throughout its history, ICQ has been at the forefront of innovation in instant messaging technology. From its humble beginnings as a small startup to its current status as a global phenomenon, ICQ has come a long way. With its rich history and commitment to staying ahead of the curve, it's no wonder why ICQ remains one of the most popular web ICQ clients today.

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