The History Source on Instagram: "By 1998, the year this commercial was released, AOL had introduced millions of households to email, instant messaging, and the World Wide Web. Its easy-to-use interface, iconic “You’ve Got Mail” alert, and widespread distribution of free trial CDs made it the gateway to digital connectivity. AOL also played a central role in shaping early online communities through its chat rooms and forums, creating one of the first widespread digital social networks. As a symb