A New Way to Share Images
In 1987, Steve Wilhite and his team at CompuServe needed a way to display images without using too much memory. They developed the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), a compressed file format that could store multiple images in one file. Using the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression algorithm, GIFs allowed for efficient image sharing and later became the first format to display color images online.
The Patent Controversy
For years, developers freely used GIFs until Unisys, the company that owned the LZW algorithm, began enforcing its patent in 1995. The backlash led to the creation of the PNG format and sparked the “Burn All GIFs” protest in 1999. Despite this, GIFs remained popular, especially for animations.
A Digital Evolution
As internet culture grew, GIFs transformed from basic graphics into a communication tool. Sites like Giphy and Twitter popularized them as reactions, and sports leagues attempted—but failed—to ban their use.
A Lasting Online Presence
Today, GIFs are so ingrained in digital culture that they are displayed in museums. Though newer video formats have surpassed them in efficiency, the GIF remains a widely recognized part of online expression.
In 1987, Steve Wilhite and his team at CompuServe needed a way to display images without using too much memory. They created the GIF, a format storing multiple images. Using the LZW algorithm, GIFs enabled sharing and became the first format to display color images online.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/z7HO2tEvp1
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 25, 2025