The Internet & WebSocial Media

Why Tweets Were 140

Twitter left 20 characters of every text message for your name

For eleven years, the whole world argued, joked and broke news in bursts of 140 characters. Why would anyone pick a number that odd?

You'll find out

  • Where the number 140 came from
  • Who felt the limit, and who didn't
  • What changed when it doubled

Why it matters

A limit chosen for the phones of 1985 went on to shape how millions of people write. Rules often outlive their reasons.

About 3 min6 interactive slides · 5 questionsLesson 122 · Zone 14

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