Twitter Turns 19: From the Blue Bird to X – A Journey of Global Influence

As Twitter turns 19, we look back at the platform’s iconic journey from its humble beginnings in 2006 to its radical transformation into "X" under Elon Musk’s leadership.

Twitter at 19: The Evolution of a Digital Giant

On 14 July 2025, Twitter marked its 19th anniversary — a major milestone for the social media platform that reshaped how the world communicates in real time. From its inception as a microblogging experiment to its rebranding as “X,” Twitter has remained a central player in the digital age.

The platform first went live in July 2006, but its story began a few months earlier in March 2006. It was the brainchild of four American entrepreneurs: Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass. Initially intended as an SMS-based communication platform, Twitter quickly outgrew its modest roots and evolved into a global phenomenon.

By 2012, the platform had amassed over 500 million registered users, generating more than 340 million tweets daily. Its reach was so vast that by 2013, Twitter ranked among the top 10 most visited websites globally. The simplicity of its 140-character messages led many to dub it the “Internet SMS.”

The Meaning Behind Twitter’s Name and Logo

The platform’s name, Twitter, was inspired by the short, burst-like communication style of birds — hence the iconic blue bird logo. The specific bird used in the design was named "Larry the Bird," a tribute to NBA legend Larry Bird, who played for the Boston Celtics. The logo became one of the most recognisable symbols in the tech world, encapsulating the platform’s ethos of quick, concise communication.

From Tweets to X: The Elon Musk Rebrand

Twitter's legacy entered a new chapter in July 2023, when billionaire Elon Musk — who had acquired the company in 2022 — announced a dramatic overhaul of the brand. In a tweet posted on 23 July 2023, Musk revealed plans to abandon the Twitter name and its emblematic blue bird logo.

By 24 July 2023, the rebranding had taken full effect. The platform’s web and mobile interfaces began displaying a stark new identity: a minimalist white “X” on a black background. Musk declared that this change signified a shift toward a more comprehensive platform for “everything,” encompassing social media, payments, and AI-powered services.

Twitter at 19 – A Platform That Changed the World

A New Era for an Old Icon

As Twitter turns 19, it stands at a crossroads between legacy and reinvention. From its pioneering role in political movements and global news to its new ambition as “X,” the platform continues to influence how information is shared and consumed. Though the bird may have flown, the echoes of its tweets still reverberate across the digital landscape.

Twitter’s transformation may have changed its name and face, but its legacy remains indelibly etched into the fabric of modern communication.