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Library/App & software/SETI@home volunteer launch
Grade B7 sourcesHIS-01106

SETI@home volunteer launch

App & software · 1999 · Niche

10Editable slideCertificate

A volunteer screensaver drew over 1 million signups within three months.

SETI@home BOINC graphics in Classic display mode. Later BOINC interface demonstration, not the original 1999 screensaver.
Later BOINC demo; not 1999 · SETI@home / UC Berkeley

Spread Score

How it works
ReachNo data yetContagionNo data yetBreadth10VelocityNo data yetLongevityNo data yet10

Numbers

Worldwide signups
>1M
First three months · Berkeley claim · Open web · Self-reported · UC Berkeley
Seed to milestone
3 months
May 17 ’99 to Aug 16 ’99
Platforms
2
Started on Open web
Origin
Seeded
Education

Mechanics

  • Visible in usePrimary
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop

How it spread

Trace the origin

SETI@home turned idle computers into scientific volunteers. Berkeley documented adoption in offices and classrooms, while competing teams gave participants a shared identity and public progress to follow.

Documented milestone; not a measured attention peak.

Nov ’98Jan ’99AprJunAugSepDecApr ’00JulOctJan ’01Open webPress
Open webPress

4 more events on this chart

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Timeline (7)

  1. November 1998

    SETI@home beta testers precursor · Nov 20 ’98

    A 100-user beta began analyzing real telescope data.[4]

  2. May 1999

    UC Berkeley seed · May 17 ’99

    SETI@home launched publicly as a volunteer computing screensaver.[1][2]

  3. UC Berkeley owner response · May 19 ’99

    Reported over 200,000 downloaders since May 17 and volunteers helping with programming, web pages and translation.[6]

Origin
Seeded
Sector
Education
Region
US
Worldwide signups
>1M
First three months · Berkeley claim · Open web · Self-reported · UC Berkeley
Evidence
Grade B

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Chewbacca Mom

Facebook · 2016

63
Facebook’s year-end screenshot of Candace Payne laughing in her Chewbacca mask.

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e.l.f. x Dunkin' Makeup Collection

Open web · 2022

60
When @Mikayla Nogueira says the e.l.f. x Dunkin collection is literally iconic 😩💋 #elfxdunkin #elfcosmetics

5B impressions

Billy Porter’s Oscars tuxedo gown

X · 2019

58
When you come to the Oscars, you must dress up. Thanks @CSiriano for creating this custom couture masterpiece. @OscarHeymanBros you have outdone yourselves with your iconic jewels. Style by…

New cases, every week

How the next thing spread, the week it does.

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Nov ’98Jan ’99AprJunAugSepDecApr ’00JulOctJan ’01Open webPress
Open webPress

4 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

  1. November 1998

    SETI@home beta testers precursor · Nov 20 ’98

    A 100-user beta began analyzing real telescope data.[4]

  2. May 1999

    UC Berkeley seed · May 17 ’99

    SETI@home launched publicly as a volunteer computing screensaver.[1][2]

  3. UC Berkeley owner response · May 19 ’99

    Reported over 200,000 downloaders since May 17 and volunteers helping with programming, web pages and translation.[6]

  1. press · Aug 6 ’99

  2. milestone · Aug 16 ’99

Join free to see the other 4 events and the full chart. Free, on every case.

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Why it worked

Do this

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

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