Twitter was started by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in March 2006. The idea for Twitter came about when Dorsey, then an engineer at a podcasting company called Odeo, proposed the concept of a short messaging service that would allow people to share their status updates with a small group of friends. The idea was inspired by the concept of status updates in instant messaging services, but with a public and open approach.

Dorsey developed a prototype of this idea, which was initially called "twttr" (inspired by the word "twittering" meaning a short burst of inconsequential information). The prototype allowed users to post short messages of up to 140 characters, which would be displayed on their profile page and could be seen by their followers.

The founders decided to launch the service publicly in July 2006, and it quickly gained popularity at the South by Southwest (SXSW) conference in 2007. During the conference, Twitter usage spiked, and the service gained significant attention from attendees and media outlets. This event is often considered a turning point for Twitter, as it showcased its potential as a real-time communication platform.

As Twitter grew in popularity, it attracted a diverse range of users, including celebrities, politicians, journalists, and ordinary individuals. Its simplicity and the ability to share updates in real-time made it a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination. Twitter became a platform for breaking news, public conversations, and sharing personal thoughts and experiences.

Over the years, Twitter introduced several features to enhance the user experience, such as the introduction of hashtags to categorize tweets, the ability to retweet (share) other users' tweets, and the inclusion of images and videos in tweets. These features further contributed to the growth and engagement on the platform.

Twitter's impact on society has been significant. It has played a crucial role in political movements, such as the Arab Spring and various social justice movements worldwide. It has also become a platform for businesses, organizations, and individuals to connect with their audience and share information.

References:
1. "The history of Twitter: Jack Dorsey's road to success" - BBC News
   (https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43597146)

2. "Twitter: A Biography" by B. Highfield and R. Leaver