NEW YORK -- It's been 25 years since the world's first-ever text message was sent, an innovation that has shaped modern communication.
The first text message was sent in December 1992.
[Ads /]
RELATED: How to sign up for emergency text alerts where you live
It read "Merry Christmas," and it was sent by British engineer Neil Papworth to the head of telecommunications company Vodafone as the company celebrated its Christmas party.
At the time, phones could only receive messages, so it was sent using a computer.
RELATED: Avoid scammers: Don't answer calls or texts from these area codes
[Ads /]
Experts describe it as the first step toward the modern smartphone.
"I never got a free beer out of it or anything like that but I'm proud and I'm happy that I did what I did," said Papworth.
It took nearly a year to develop the technology for phones to also send text messages.
Click here for more stories about text messages!