The first email was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson, a computer engineer, who implemented an early form of email on the ARPANET system, which was the precursor to the modern internet. Tomlinson’s innovation involved using the "@" symbol to separate the user's name from the computer name, allowing communication between different machines. This groundbreaking development laid the foundation for electronic mail as we know it today, revolutionizing communication. His initial message was not recorded, but the concept he created paved the way for the vast email systems that are now integral to personal and professional interactions worldwide.