The @ reply has long been cited as an example of Twitter's organic growth, having birthed from its users rather than a San Francisco office -- but who really started it? After some in-depth sleuthing, early adopter Garrett Murray now credits the ad hoc invention to Robert Andersen, who gave kudos to an especially dedicated (and injured) compatriot on November 2, 2006. The origin day most accept as part of the common legend, November 23rd that same year, was more of a happy accident where Murray and others decided to use the now famous shift-2 keypress to clear up their conversation paths. When you see the @ reply front and center in modern Twitter apps, then, raise a glass to Andersen's unintentionally avant garde microblogging.

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Twitter @ reply's original creator uncovered, did it before it was cool originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 05:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.