First ever book bought through Amazon revealed by customer
Ever wondered what the first book bought through online retailers Amazon was? Way back in 1995 when all the company sold was books and nothing else? When the Kindle was a glimmer in Jeff Bezos’ eye? Well, the customer believed to have been the first member of the public to purchase a tome though the Amazon store has come forward, and even posted a picture of the book alongside his dated shipping receipt to prove the purchase.
John Wainwright bought a copy of Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies by Douglas Hofstadter on 3 April 1995, and was part of of the beta test programme for the service.
The reveal followed a Quora forum question asking. “What was the first book ever ordered by a customer on Amazon?” An Amazon manager replied with the answer, which inspired Wainwright to give the extra details.
“I think I’m the customer mentioned in the other answers,” he said.
“I did indeed buy Hofstadter’s Fluid Concepts on 3 April 1995 (it’s still in my order history listing). I’d heard that I might be the first non-employee customer, but could not get it confirmed.
“One thing that is uncertain is the beta vs public timing. I was definitely on the beta test, and 3 April 1995 seems to be earlier than the opening date, which I think was in July of that year.
“BTW, I still have the book and the original Amazon packing slip,” he said, before adding the picture above as evidence.
It’s not just “got-there-first” bragging rights for Wainwright either. Another reply from someone claiming to be an ex-Amazon employee suggests the online retailer even owns a building named after Wainwright to commemorate his achievement.
Via: New Launches
