In the history of the Internet and the advance of computers as the most crucial communication device on the planet, 25 years ago today a major milestone was passed.  Prior to this day in 1982, electronic bulletin board regulars were at a loss for how to adequately express humor and silliness in their posts (beyond explicitly stating it).  These were dark, humorless times where people took things far too seriously.  It was from this deepening pit of despair that CMU Professor Scott Fahlman reached down and saved us from ourselves.  At 11:44am, September 19, 1982 he posted the first ever "Smiley Face"

Three simple keystrokes.  Pretty big impact for just a few characters on a screen.