First Item Sold

Story came around that eBay was put up to help Omidyar's fiancee, Pam Wesley sell PEZ candy dispensers. It was later reported to be a PR stunt to give a human emotional interest story to the beginnings of eBay. But just the same, the company recognizes the myth as its headquarters has a wall display filled with homage to Pez dispensers.

To test the waters, Omidyar sold the very first item online, his very own broken laser pointer. To his amazement, a bidding materialized, and the item was sold for $13.83. A few years later, Omidyar's AuctionWeb took off and revolutionized active online trading site for sellers and bidders of ordinary, rare, or valuable collectibles, computers, vehicles, equipment, appliances and other items.