WordPress was initially started because of the need for blogging software when the existing platform "b2\cafelog" was discontinued. In 2003 the first version was made available and a year later in 2004, version 1.2 was released. With it came the plugin architecture which allowed users to develop their own extended functionalities. Adding to that, because of new licensing terms released by the market leader, Moveable, many of their users left. When looking for a new blogging platform, many of them landed onto WordPress as their solution. In December of 2005, WordPress 2.0 was released with a whole new admin dashboard. It also used javascript and DHTML, making it a better user interface. In 2006, WordPress founded the company, Automattic, then in 2010 Automattic transferred ownership of WordPress trademark and logo to the WordPress Foundation. This has ensured that WordPress is not dependent on any one company or group. WordPress has continued to expand and improve throughout the next thirteen years and even into today.
As a self-hosted, open-source service, anyone can use WordPress.org to create a website with the WordPress software for free. Because it is self-hosted, this means the user will have to provide a server for the the WordPress software so reside. This is an be obtained through a hosting provider like Bluehost, WP Engine, or Linode to name a small few.
This is a for-profit company owned by Automattic. WordPress.com is a full service web building platform. Here they offer the WordPress software, hosting, support, and services into a subscription for a fee. Some people mistake the WordPress.com's free website services for WordPress.org. The free WordPress.com, however, offers a free subdomain without upgrades and WordPress.com's ads running on your site.
From the inception of WordPress as a blogging solution to the present day, a CMS which is used by nearly 50% of website creators, WordPress has created software, services, and a business model that appears to be bulletproof in this ever changing technological era we live in. The creators have taken measures to keep WordPress open-source, and available to all people. Through the creation of their for-profit affiliates, the necessary revenue for continued development and growth has been made possible. The WordPress story is very inspirational which seems appropriate. It has been largely though WordPress that individuals and groups have also been able to tell their own inspirational stories, walk into success, and continue their own growth.