Twitter is a magical tool which consistently outshines its billing as a social network. Twitter is more than that, having evolved throughout its short life as dictated and directed by the people who use it. And millions of us do use Twitter.

The question is, where did it all begin? We're not talking about the history of Twitter here, but instead the first few moments on the site taken by rich, famous, powerful, and influential Twitter users. Oh, and MakeUseOf writers.

First Tweet

http://youtu.be/xr3Tl7T6fIQ

Twitter recently turned eight, and to celebrate the occasion it invited everyone to relive their first tweet. If you're using Twitter -- and you should be using Twitter -- you can view your first tweet right now.

The thing is, Twitter hasn't limited this tool to you only for viewing your own first tweet. As long as you know someone's Twitter username then you can also check their first tweet. Which is exactly what we did to compile this bumper list.

Celebrities

Check out my single "ONE TIME" on my myspace and spread the word for me. Thanks www.myspace.com/justinbieber

— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) May 12, 2009

Promoting MySpace in 2009. How quaint.

Just got into Berlin... feeling better thank you, have my vicks inhaler by my bedside... and P.S. I TWITTTTER! GAH. Such a follower!

— Katy Perry (@katyperry) February 21, 2009

We didn't ask.

op rehearsing for my video just dance and am now at wmc to perform at the Armani and nervous records party. But I am no nervous record! ...

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) March 27, 2008

No, you're a human being. We think.

The Wait Is Ova. Nov 23 09

— Rihanna (@rihanna) October 13, 2009

Yes, we were all waiting for you to join Twitter. Who are you again?

HI TWITTERS . THANK YOU FOR A WARM WELCOME. FEELING REALLY 21st CENTURY .

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 17, 2009

SHOUTING IS FUN.

Yeesh, Ape-lad. Is it not enough that I blog?

— John Hodgman (@hodgman) April 10, 2008

No.

I hope the 17 fans on my Geocities page follow me here.

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 1, 2010

They didn't. They're still on Geocities.

I hemmed. I hawed. I joined twitter. Alas. Reason? I saw "The Cove" this weekend and it blew my mind. Everyone should see this movie. -zd

— zooey deschanel (@ZooeyDeschanel) August 18, 2009

Rather that than any of your movies, Zooey.

Today I interviewed a squirrel in my backyard and then threw to commercial. Somebody help me.

— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) February 24, 2010

Bad habits die hard.

Just seeing how this works. I'm hosting the Golden Globes on January 17th - they want me to do a running commentary on Twitter...

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) December 14, 2009

Fast-forward a few years and Ellen DeGeneres takes a selfie during the Oscars.

Politicians

Thinking we're only one signature away from ending the war in Iraq. Learn more at http://www.barackobama.com

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 29, 2007

There's wishful thinking for you.

The @FLOTUS Office is now on @twitter & will post updates & pics. When it's her, she'll sign -mo. PS: RT to wish Mrs. Obama a #HappyBirthday

— FLOTUS (@FLOTUS) January 17, 2013

I didn't retweet.

I'm starting Conference with this new Twitter feed about my role as Conservative Leader. I promise there won't be "too many tweets..."

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) October 6, 2012

Tweets, twits, it's all the same to Dave.

Michigan-thx 4 Going Rogue! Perfect tour kickoff w/Kid Rock tune praising Northern MI humming in backgrnd @ Barnes/Noble. Above expectations

— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) November 19, 2009

As eloquent as ever.

Just signed up for Twitter. Please check out http://www.algore.com/ and http://www.repoweramerica.org/.

— Al Gore (@algore) November 6, 2008

Hmm, I'll pass but thanks anyway.

Setting up social marketing accounts!

— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) May 8, 2008

We would never have guessed.

Is getting connected. Follow me here for updates, and tell someone to tell someone!

— Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) January 31, 2009

To tell someone to tell someone to tell someone to tell someone.

I am working in my office on Capitol Hill today.

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 23, 2009

Because you're not President.

Entering the brave new world of Twitter. What the heck is this anyway?

— Paul Ryan (@RepPaulRyan) February 4, 2009

He still doesn't know.

BLOGGED: Today's Reads (7/8) http://bit.ly/10TSAd

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) July 8, 2009

He BLOGS, he TWEETS, he KEEPS BINDERS FULL OF WOMEN.

Technologists

just setting up my twttr

— Jack Dorsey (@jack) March 21, 2006

That name will definitely catch on.

I'm 01100110 01100101 01100101 01101100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101100 01110101 01100011 01101011 01111001 00001010

— A Googler (@google) February 26, 2009

Me too, Google, me too.

"Hello World." Hard at work on my foundation letter - publishing on 1/25.

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) January 19, 2010

Hello Bill.

Headed to PhotoPlus Expo in the morning....

— David Pogue (@Pogue) October 19, 2007

Party on.

hanging out watching roofers work on my house.

— Dan Lyons (@realdanlyons) July 18, 2008

Whatever turns you on.

Time to blog and then call it a day for a bit

— Michael Gartenberg (@Gartenberg) December 22, 2006

A bit of what?

I'm going home to Half Moon Bay.

— Robert Scoble (@Scobleizer) November 20, 2006

It's in California, apparently.

Having toast + peanut butter with the missus, getting ready to purchase NYE party supplies

— Joshua Topolsky (@joshuatopolsky) December 30, 2007

Surely toast + peanut butter ARE the party supplies.

Looking 4 food

— Om Malik (@om) July 15, 2006

Did you find some? We demand to know.

MakeUseOf

typing into twitter for the first time

— MakeUseOf (@MakeUseOf) December 13, 2006

The most obvious tweet of all time.

Well I'm clearly writing my first update on Twitter, and generally trying to figure out what the bloody thing is all about!

— Dave Parrack (@DavePee) March 23, 2007

Seven years later and I'm none the wiser.

Fighting the flu. Blog updates will be a little scarce for a day or so

— Mark O'Neill (@MarkONeill) November 9, 2007

He fought it. He won.

Just bumming around, wasting time

— Jackson Chung (@aenon1mus) June 16, 2007

We all need hobbies.

Tina Turner will be touring again!!! OMG, I can't believe it, I will see her in Berlin in 2009 (given I get the ticket this Friday)!!!

— Tina Sieber (@TinaSieber) May 27, 2008

Sadly, Tina Turner is still touring.

Shocked and appalled that I've signed up for Twitter.

— Tim Brookes (@timbrookes) December 15, 2008

We all were, to be honest.

Signing up for twitter, duh.

— Angela Alcorn (@smange) June 3, 2007

She finishes all her sentences in the same way, duh.

Updating tweeter profile. Will be on it more often.

— Saikat Basu (@saikytweets) October 11, 2009

I must try this tweeter thing one day.

Sitting at home.. waiting for Xbox Live to be fixed..

— Dave LeClair (@sideox) December 31, 2007

He hasn't moved since.

Parodies

In the beginning, the blue rectangle was formless and empty. And I said, “Let there be text,” and there was text; and I saw that it was gd.

— God (@TheTweetOfGod) October 21, 2010

Good God.

Criminal scum of Twitter beware. Your reign of banal comments and villainous musings ends tonight!

— The Batman (@TheBatman) April 6, 2010

Meanwhile, Gotham is riddled with crime.

Tried to use the force today on this 10 year old who was annoying me...he just laughed at me and kicked me in the shin

— Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) March 21, 2010

It serves you right!

If Chuck Norris' arms were guns, they would be big fuckin' guns.

— Chuck Norris (@LegendaryNorris) February 7, 2013

Chuck Norris doesn't swear, you just think he does.

Can't sleep. Its almost 6am here in Paris. Been up for hours playing fruit ninja. Woe to the person who wants to be excused from suffering!

— KimKierkegaardashian (@KimKierkegaard) June 28, 2012

The perfect blend of vacuous celebrity and existential philosopher.

I'm gonna avada kedavra the ass that took my twitter name & left me w/ this ridiculous name. Game on @lordvoldemort

— The Dark Lord (@Lord_Voldemort7) June 29, 2010

He who shall not be named. Except on Twitter.

Joined Twitter so I can get in on meme-making! Try these: #MyRaceHorseName, #TheBestIgneousRockIs and #IPledgeToAvoidTheSocialNetworkBecause

— Not Mark Zuckerberg (@notzuckerberg) October 1, 2010

Are you sure you're not the real Mark Zuckerberg?

I'm Betty F*ckin' White!

— Betty F*ckin' White (@BettyFckinWhite) September 17, 2010

Damn f*ckin' right you are.

All television show names should bear the 'Spanish exclamations.' ¡CSI: Miami! and ¡Taxicab Confessions!, but not ¡Jeopardy!!

— Fake AP Stylebook (@FakeAPStylebook) October 20, 2009

I'd watch them, guaranteed.

Greetings Twitterers. I'm here for the fans...not to promote my new movie. "Stroker Ace". I am also chewing gum.

— Not Burt Reynolds (@NotBurtReynolds) April 14, 2010

That's a real film too. What a career.

Conclusions

We've offered 50 of our favorite first tweets, and now it's your turn to join in the fun. Let us know what your first tweet was in the comments section below. By doing so you get a chance to promote your Twitter and possibly pick up some new followers.

Image Credit: Spencer E Holtaway via Flickr