The Viral Videos That Built YouTube


Evolution of Dance (2006)

Simplicity was the most important part of early YouTube. Back when the platform kicked off, users and viewers were still figuring out what it was even for. Judson Laipply was touring as inspirational comedian at the time, and uploaded a video from one of his shows. Grainy and shot from the audience, Laipply’s six-minute video captured decades of popular dances from Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” hip swivel to ’N Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye.” His “Evolution of Dance” video was briefly the most popular video of all time on YouTube and now has multiple sequels, especially now that social media itself has become the biggest breeding ground for new dance fads.