How Facebook Was Created – The Full Story
Introduction
In the 21st century, no other social network has shaped global communication, politics, relationships, and economies quite like Facebook. With more than 2 billion users worldwide and a legacy that extends far beyond its original purpose, Facebook is now a digital giant under the parent company Meta Platforms, Inc. But it wasn’t always that way. Facebook started humbly in a college dorm room, with lines of code written by a Harvard sophomore named Mark Zuckerberg.
This is the detailed story of how Facebook was created, starting from a playful student project and eventually becoming one of the most powerful tech platforms in human history.
Humble Beginnings: The Birth of Facemash
Before Facebook, there was Facemash. In October 2003, Mark Zuckerberg, a second-year student at Harvard University, created a website that allowed users to compare two Harvard student photos side by side and rate who was more attractive. He hacked into Harvard’s house directories to get photos of students without permission.
Facemash went live and received 22,000 photo views within hours. While many students found it amusing, others were upset about privacy violations. Harvard quickly shut down the site, and Zuckerberg faced charges for breaching security and violating individual privacy. These charges were later dropped, but the incident earned him both infamy and fame.
Importantly, it gave him a reputation as a talented coder—and sparked the idea of a social connection platform.
The Creation of "TheFacebook"
After Facemash, Zuckerberg began thinking seriously about an online directory that connected students. On February 4, 2004, Zuckerberg launched "TheFacebook" with the help of his friends Eduardo Saverin (business manager), Andrew McCollum (graphic designer), Dustin Moskovitz (programmer), and Chris Hughes (user experience).
Initially, TheFacebook was exclusive to Harvard students. Within a month, more than half of the undergraduate population had signed up. As demand surged, it expanded to other Ivy League schools like Yale, Columbia, and Stanford. The exclusivity made it desirable.
The platform allowed users to create a profile, upload a photo, connect with friends, and post status updates. While simple, it was engaging and personal—something missing from the static personal websites and messy forums of the early 2000s.
Early Legal Challenges: The Winklevoss Controversy
Soon after TheFacebook took off, controversy followed. Harvard seniors Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra claimed Zuckerberg had stolen their idea. They had been working on a similar platform called HarvardConnection (later ConnectU), and alleged that Zuckerberg had agreed to help them code it—but instead delayed it while building his own.
They sued Zuckerberg in 2004. After years of legal battles, a settlement was reached in 2008, reportedly for $65 million. This legal battle became widely known due to the 2010 film The Social Network, which dramatized Facebook’s rise and the complex relationships behind it.
Growth, Expansion, and Rebranding
In mid-2004, TheFacebook moved its operations to Palo Alto, California, and received its first major investment—$500,000—from PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel. Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster, joined as the company’s first president and advised them to drop "The" from the name. Thus, Facebook.com was born.
By the end of 2004, Facebook had over one million users. In 2005, it expanded to high school students, corporate networks, and eventually the general public by 2006.
During this period, Facebook was rapidly evolving:
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In 2005, Facebook introduced photo tagging.
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In 2006, the iconic News Feed feature launched, which became central to the platform.
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Facebook’s open registration in 2006 marked its shift from a niche college network to a global one.
Features That Changed Everything
Facebook's strength was not just in its simplicity but its continuous innovation:
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Photo Sharing & Tagging: Made digital photo albums social.
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News Feed (2006): Showed a real-time stream of updates from friends. Initially controversial, users protested, but it became the heart of the platform.
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Status Updates: Gave people a voice and encouraged daily engagement.
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Facebook Platform (2007): Let developers build apps like games, polls, and more, creating an ecosystem.
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Like Button (2009): A simple click transformed how users engaged.
These features made Facebook addictive, personal, and interactive.
Explosive Growth and Global Impact
By 2007, Microsoft invested $240 million in Facebook at a $15 billion valuation. The platform continued expanding globally, adding language support and mobile apps.
In 2012, Facebook reached 1 billion users and held its IPO (Initial Public Offering), raising $16 billion and valuing the company at $104 billion. It was one of the largest IPOs in tech history.
The company continued to grow through acquisitions:
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Instagram (2012): Bought for $1 billion.
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WhatsApp (2014): Bought for $19 billion.
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Oculus VR (2014): Step toward virtual reality.
Controversies and Criticisms
With growth came criticism:
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Privacy Issues: Facebook Beacon (2007), data tracking, and unclear policies.
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Cambridge Analytica Scandal (2018): Revealed that data from millions of users was harvested without consent and used for political advertising.
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Fake News & Political Influence: Especially during the 2016 U.S. election, Facebook was criticized for allowing misinformation.
These events damaged Facebook’s public trust and led to hearings in U.S. Congress.
Rebranding as Meta
In October 2021, Facebook Inc. rebranded as Meta Platforms, Inc., signaling a shift in focus toward the metaverse—a digital reality space powered by augmented and virtual reality. Facebook the app remains a core product, but Meta’s mission is now broader: to build the next internet.
This move reflects Zuckerberg’s belief in immersive digital spaces and a future where people live, work, and play in the metaverse.
Conclusion
The story of Facebook is a story of rapid innovation, controversy, ambition, and transformation. What started in a Harvard dorm room became a force that redefined how humans connect, communicate, and share information.
Mark Zuckerberg’s vision—and the controversies around it—changed the world, for better or worse. Facebook’s legacy is undeniable: it has shaped digital history, transformed communication, and continues to push boundaries under the Meta umbrella.
While the future of Facebook lies in the metaverse, its origins remind us how quickly technology can reshape society.
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