On April 23, 2005,  YouTube cofounder Jawed Karim published the first YouTube video. Although Karim likely didn’t know it, his 18-second video is the first vlog. As in all subsequent vlogs, it consists of the subject talking directly into the camera, reaching out to viewers. To date, more than 48 million people have watched this video.

Coincidentally, April 23 is also the birthday of Shakespeare, an innovator who could not have guessed the future development of his plays, including their availability on YouTube.

Julia Alexander has written a thoughtful essay about the impact of Karim’s vlog here.