The Museum of Modern Art has announced its acquisition of the original set of 176 emojis, a collection that represents a new kind of language developed to express emotions in the digital era. Emojis have become a universal communication tool, with about three billion people now using them. They are seen as vital to the way we express ourselves, especially as technology plays an increasingly significant role in communication. Emojis have filled a void created by the lack of human connection and the coldness of screens. The desire to express feelings and tone in digital messages led to the birth of emojis in Japan in the late 1990s.
Inspired by Japanese visual imagery, a young engineer named Shigetaka Kurita created the first set of emojis. Initially, he did not expect them to become so popular, but they quickly gained widespread usage and recognition. Today, emojis are used differently around the world, with the heart emoji being one of the most beloved. Emojis represent a milestone in the quest for a visual language, and they continue to evolve as technology and communication patterns change.
Vocabulary:
• Acquiring
Obtaining or getting something.
• Screen
Display or surface used for visual representation.
• Long for
To want something very much.
• Prompt
To do something that causes a reaction.
• Pager
A small device that you carry or wear that moves or makes a noise to tell you that someone wants you to contact them.
• Plummet
To fall very quickly and suddenly.