History of eBay
eBay was founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar as 'AuctionWeb,' an online marketplace that allowed people to buy and sell goods through auctions. The first item sold was a broken laser pointer, which demonstrated the demand for a global online marketplace. As the platform grew, it rebranded to eBay in 1997 and quickly became one of the most popular e-commerce sites. By 1998, eBay went public, and its stock price skyrocketed, solidifying its place as a major player in online shopping.
Over the years, eBay expanded globally, introducing features like 'Buy It Now' and secure payment options. The company acquired PayPal in 2002, making transactions smoother, though it later spun off PayPal in 2015. Despite competition from Amazon and other e-commerce platforms, eBay remains a leading marketplace for new and used goods, collectibles, and unique items, adapting to trends with features like mobile apps and AI-driven recommendations.