Who could possibly have predicted that one man, messing about on a computer in a Harvard dormitory in 2004, could change the world in such a profound way?
But now, in a world immersed in, and undoubtedly affected by, social media, Facebook, created and still led by Mark Zuckerberg, stands dominant, with an astonishing 2 billion monthly users.
However, despite its phenomenal rate of growth, it didn’t happen overnight.
Take a look at this series of fascinating images to see the Facebook story as it progressed.
Harvard's Kirkland House dormitory, where Facebook began
Harvard's Kirkland House dormitory, where Facebook began
Mark Zuckerberg in his Harvard dorm, where he originally built Facemash, which became thefacebook.com
Mark Zuckerberg in his Harvard dorm, where he originally built Facemash, which became thefacebook.com
thefacebook in 2004
thefacebook in 2004
Six days after thefacebook launched, the Winklevoss twins claimed that Zuckerberg went back on an agreement to build a site for them, and claimed he stole their idea
Six days after thefacebook launched, the Winklevoss twins claimed that Zuckerberg went back on an agreement to build a site for them, and claimed they stole his idea
By March 2004, Zuckerberg had enlisted fellow graduates to help him grow the site, including Dustin Moskovitz
By March 2004, Zuckerberg had enlisted fellow graduates to help him grow the site, including Dustin Moskovitz
And Eduardo Saverin, pictured here in 2017
And Eduardo Saverin, pictured here in 2017
In mid-2004, Zuckerberg hired Sean Parker to be Facebook's first President (pictured here in The Social Network, played by Justin Timberlake)
In mid-2004, Zuckerberg hired Sean Parker to be Facebook's first President (pictured here in 'The Social Network', played by Justin Timberlake)
The first Facebook office, in Palo Alto, California (No. 471)
The first Facebook office, in Palo Alto, California (No. 471)
Peter Thiel, pictured in 2006, invested in Facebook in 2004, eventually turning his initial $500,000 into $1 billion
Peter Thiel, pictured in 2006, invested in Facebook in 2004, eventually turning his initial $500,000 into $1bn
thefacebook in 2005
thefacebook in 2005
2005 Facebook photo of Mark Zuckerberg
2005 Facebook photo of Mark Zuckerberg
Launch of the then-controversial newsfeed on Facebook in September 2006
Launch of the then-controversial newsfeed on Facebook in September 2006
Facebook in 2006
Facebook in 2006
Facebook in 2007
Facebook in 2007
Facebook in 2008
Facebook in 2008
The former Google executive Sheryl Sandberg becomes Facebook CEO in early 2008
The former Google executive Sheryl Sandberg becomes Facebook CEO in early 2008
Facebook in 2009
Facebook in 2009
In 2009, Facebook moves to larger offices in the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto
In 2009, Facebook moves to larger offices in the Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto
Facebook in 2010
Facebook in 2010
The poster for The Social Network, the 2010 film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin which told the story of Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook
The poster for 'The Social Network', the 2010 film directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin which told the story of Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook
Still from The Social Network, with Mark Zuckerberg played by Jesse Eisenberg
Still from 'The Social Network', with Mark Zuckerberg played by Jesse Eisenberg
Facebook in 2011
Facebook in 2011
By 2011, Facebook was incredibly powerful, playing a part in the 'Arab Spring' early in that year
By 2011, Facebook was incredibly powerful, playing a part in the 'Arab Spring' early in that year
Demonstrating his influence, Mark Zuckerberg was an attendee at the 2011 G8 summit
Demonstrating his influence, Mark Zuckerberg was an attendee at the 2011 G8 summit
Facebook in 2012
Facebook in 2012
Facebook pays $1 billion to buy Instagram in April 2012. Zuckerberg pictured with its co-founder Kevin Systrom
Facebook pays $1bn to buy Instagram in April 2012. Zuckerberg pictured with its co-founder Kevin Systrom
Facebook goes public on 18 May 2012, with huge success
Facebook goes public on May 18, 2012, with huge success
The following day, Mark Zuckerberg marries his long-term girlfriend Priscilla Chan
The following day, Mark Zuckerberg marries his long-term girlfriend Priscilla Chan
Mark Zuckerberg, at the 2013 San Francisco Pride. He has always been a supporter of LGBTQ rights
Mark Zuckerberg, at the 2013 San Francisco Pride. He has always been a supporter of LGBTQ rights
Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19 billion in Feb 2014. Co-founder Jan Koum is pictured here with King Felipe VI of Spain
Facebook buys WhatsApp for $19bn in Feb 2014. Co-founder Jan Koum is pictured here with King Felipe VI of Spain
Facebook buys the VR firm Oculus for $2 billion in March 2014
Facebook buys the VR firm Oculus for $2bn in March 2014
Facebook introduces its Pride filter in 2015
Facebook introduces its Pride filter in 2015
In early 2011, Facebook announced plans to move to its new headquarters, the former Sun Microsystems campus in Menlo Park - it moved to a bigger campus in the same location in 2015
In early 2011, Facebook announced plans to move to its new headquarters, the former Sun Microsystems campus in Menlo Park - it moved to a bigger campus in the same location in 2015
The first test of Facebook's internet.org planes in 2015, in the UK, which have the aim of bringing the internet to those parts of the globe currently without it
The first test of Facebook's internet.org planes in 2015, in the UK, which have the aim of bringing the internet to those parts of the globe currently without it
Mark Zuckerberg talking in Berlin in 2016 about the future of Artificial Intelligence
Mark Zuckerberg talking in Berlin in 2016 about the future of Artificial Intelligence
Facebook's incredible stats in July 2017
Facebook's incredible stats in July 2017
(Images: Rex/Facebook/Wikicommons/iStock)
(Historical Facebook images: Jon Loomer)
