E-Commerce

E-commerce began before personal computers were prevalent and has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry, but where did it come from? By looking at the evolution of e-commerce, it will be easier to judge its trends for the future.
1984
EDI, or electronic data interchange, was standardized through ASC X12. This guaranteed that companies would be able to complete transactions with one another reliably.
1992
Compuserve offers online retail products to its customers. This gives people the first chance to buy things off their computer.
1994
Netscape arrived. Providing users a simple browser to surf the Internet and a safe online transaction technology called Secure Sockets Layer.
1995
Two of the biggest names in e-commerce are launched: Amazon.com and eBay.com.
1998
DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, provides fast, always-on Internet service to subscribers across California. This prompts people to spend more time, and money, online.
1999
Retail spending over the Internet reaches $20 billion, according to Business.com.
2000
The U.S government extended the moratorium on Internet taxes until at least 2005.