Symbolics.com - The Oldest and 1st Domain Name ever registered - Sold

[Spade]

It was announced today that XF.com purcahsed Symbolics.com for an undisclosed amount of money. Symbolics.com is famous for being the very first registered domain name and thus oldest.

First Ever Registered Domain Name Gets New Owner After 25 Years - AppScout

 

[SpareDomains]

Ron posted an article yesterday with some better information.

The First .Com Domain Name Ever Registered (In 1985) Changes Hands For the First Time With XF.com Investments Acquiring the Historic Domain

 

[Spade]

Ron posted an article yesterday with some better information.

The First .Com Domain Name Ever Registered (In 1985) Changes Hands For the First Time With XF.com Investments Acquiring the Historic Domain

I dont know how I missed Ron's article, but thanks for the link.

 

[cdboard]

imagine the anguish if the creation date changes during the changeover.

:gl:

 

[Kate]

Symbolics.com is famous for being the very first .COM registered domain name and thus oldest.

but nordu.net is even older.

 

[Archangel]

but nordu.net is even older.

So what's the oldest domain ever regged?

---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

From the second link in this thread:

Symbolics.com, the first domain name ever registered, has changed hands for the first time since its original registration on March 15, 1985.

Edit: I just finished the article:

As a historical note - the first domain name ever created (as opposed to registered) was Nordu.net, a name that was created by the registry on opening day (Jan. 1, 1985) for use as the first ever root server (nic.nordu.net). While it was technically the first domain name in the current domain name system it was created for a special purpose before domains were allowed to be registered. Once that process was put in place, Symbolics.com was the first name taken.

 

[Jaco]

Owning the first .com ever registered has pretty big PT Barnum value to it....

 

[h2o]

The only problem is we are dealing with a piece of virtual code- not wine, not a tangible antique. I really don't see the value of owning "the oldest .com" especially if its a branded term like symbolics that otherwise has no meaning.

 

[namewaiter]

The only problem is we are dealing with a piece of virtual code- not wine, not a tangible antique. I really don't see the value of owning "the oldest .com" especially if its a branded term like symbolics that otherwise has no meaning.

well the value is in the fact that it will probably continue to drive curious traffic as it will be mentioned in thousands of 'historical' articles and blogs over the years, not to mention the bragging rights

 

[Reason]

*Agrees with Dongsman and namewaiter*

I think there's definitely a 'collector's' market out there now, looking at some otherwise pretty much (ordinarily) inexplicable sales...

 

[Jaco]

The only problem is we are dealing with a piece of virtual code- not wine, not a tangible antique. I really don't see the value of owning "the oldest .com" especially if its a branded term like symbolics that otherwise has no meaning.

Hubris is what it is.
If you're dealing with the "est" of anything- biggest, fastest, smallest, oldest, rarest, whatever- and the thing a transferable item that is desirable to men, that "est" thing is going to have a great deal of value since men will compete over it.

It's all about ego. 100%. Yeah, there is plenty of smokescreen and ground-cover that can be laid to rationalize purchasing a $60,000,000 oil painting, a $120,000 wristwatch or a $1,000,000 car, but at the end of the day, it boils down to wang-waving and the innate desire of people to be 'envied' amongst their circle of peers.

 

[lzy]

So true. Too bad the price wasn't disclosed, I would really, really love to find out how much XF.com paid for Symbolics.com!

 

[john_karr]

I wonder how much it sold for?

 

[SlimPickins]

i just hope they remember to keep it on auto renew.... :P

 

[Archangel]

i just hope they remember to keep it on auto renew.... :P

Renewing it 10 years in advance would help too