Boston Computer Exchange

Boston Computer Exchange (BCE), founded in 1982 by Daniel and Laurie Morrow, was the first e-commerce marketplace. Using a bulletin board system (BBS) over dial-up, BCE enabled individuals to trade used computers by connecting buyers and sellers online. Sellers listed their products for a fee, and BCE earned commissions by brokering transactions. Though eventually overshadowed by the rise of companies like Amazon and eBay, BCE set demonstrated the potential of digital platforms to host peer-to-peer transactions.