Tumblr launched in early 2007, as a microblogging service that hosted "tumblelogs".

It quickly gained popularity for its simplicity — a sort of mix between the traditional social networks like Myspace and Facebook and the longer form writing platforms like Blogger and Wordpress.

Within two weeks of launching, the platform would pass 75,000 users.

It was founded by David Karp, under his consulting company "Davidville".

Fun fact: Marco Arment was actually working for David across his various project ideas at this time. He would become the CTO of Tumblr but would leave in 2010 to focus on his own projects.

What followed their quick rise in popularity and growth has been a series of acquisitions.

First, by Yahoo in 2013 for $1.1 billion.

Verizon Communications would then acquire Yahoo in 2017. This acquisition moved Tumblr under its Oath subsidiary. David Karp would leave the company.

In 2019, following a massive exodus of users, Automattic would acquire Tumblr for an undisclosed amount that has been rumored to be less than $3 million.

What started out as a promising alternative to the traditional social networks and blogging platforms of the early 2000s quickly stumbled following acquisition after acquisition.

Tumblr… Stumbld.