In 2005, a 21-year-old student from England, Alex Tew, faced a common dilemma: how to pay for his university education without getting buried in debt.
In a stroke of genius, Tew came up with a simple yet groundbreaking idea that would eventually be known as The Million Dollar Homepage.
The concept was straightforward: create a website consisting of a 1000x1000 pixel grid, and sell each pixel for $1.
Advertisers could purchase pixels in 10x10 blocks, the minimum size to display a logo. They could then use them to host an image that would link to their own website.
Launched in August 2005, the site was an instant sensation. Tew's novel approach to online advertising quickly captured the imagination of the public and media alike.
The Million Dollar Homepage became a viral phenomenon.
Businesses and individuals clamored to be part of this unique piece of internet history.
The site's popularity surged. This was driven by a mix of curiosity, the novelty of the concept, and the media attention it garnered.
Within months, The Million Dollar Homepage had attracted thousands of buyers, eager to secure their spot on this digital canvas
Tew’s initial goal was modest: make enough money to pay for his three-year Business Management course at the University of Nottingham. However, the site’s viral nature propelled it far beyond his expectations.
Within months, The Million Dollar Homepage had attracted thousands of buyers, eager to secure their spot on this digital canvas.
Advertisers ranged from small startups to well-established companies, all drawn by the website’s high traffic and the buzz surrounding it. As the pixels sold, the site became a mosaic of internet culture in the mid-2000s.
It captured a wide array of advertisers from web hosting companies to music bands, and even some more whimsical and personal messages. The final 1,000 pixels were auctioned on eBay, closing at a staggering $38,100.
By January 2006, just a few months after its inception, Tew's innovative venture had reached its goal, generating $1 million.
It not only paid for Tew’s education but also left him with a substantial profit.
He is now the CEO of Calm, the massively popular meditation app.
