Genesis
Term 'meme' invented
The word meme was coined (...get it) by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his book The Selfish Gene in 1976
Purpose
Spread of ideas & culture
The term meme was created to discuss evolutionary principles, explaining the spread of ideas and cultural phenomena. Meme is inspired from the word 'gene'.
Evolution
The Internet Meme
Memes fast became part of internet culture. Displaying the same characteristics first laid out by Dawkins. Memes propagate in a viral pattern, 'infecting' individuals and can 'mutate' over time.