Who was Amazon first customer?

Amazon's first customer was a man named John Wainwright, a software engineer. He made the first-ever purchase on Amazon in 1995, shortly after the company was launched as an online bookstore.

What Did He Buy?

John Wainwright purchased a book titled "Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies" by Douglas Hofstadter, which focuses on artificial intelligence and cognitive science.

Significance:

John Wainwright's purchase marked the beginning of Amazon's journey from a small online bookstore to the global e-commerce giant it is today. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, and his small team were still operating out of a garage when this first order was placed.

Recognition:

Amazon commemorated this milestone by acknowledging John Wainwright as its first customer, and the purchase is often cited as an important part of Amazon’s history.

Summary:

  • First Customer: John Wainwright.
  • First Purchase: "Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies" by Douglas Hofstadter.
  • Year: 1995, shortly after Amazon's launch.

This first purchase was the spark that led to Amazon’s massive growth and global success in the years that followed.

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