The concept of Non-Fungible Tokens, or NFTs, has been around for several decades, but the first implementation of NFTs as we know them today can be traced back to the CryptoKitties project in 2017. CryptoKitties was a blockchain-based game where players could collect and trade virtual cats, each with unique attributes and characteristics represented by an NFT. The success of CryptoKitties popularized the concept of NFTs and sparked a wave of innovation and investment in the space.
It’s worth noting that the underlying technology of NFTs, the blockchain, was first invented by the pseudonymous person or group of people known as Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008 with the creation of the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. This technology forms the backbone of NFTs and allows for secure and transparent transfer of ownership of digital assets.
So, while no single person can claim to have “invented” NFTs, the credit for popularizing and bringing the concept to mainstream attention goes to the creators of CryptoKitties. The continued development and evolution of NFTs is a collaborative effort between developers, artists, collectors, investors, and other members of the crypto and creative communities.