Emojis before the smiling poop: New York museum acquires world's first set

The 176 tiny designs - a gift from a Japanese phone company - will go on show at New York's Museum of Modern Art

Back in the day, before cars could drive themselves and phones could airbrush selfies, a Japanese phone company released the first emojis.

The year was 1999 and the tiny 12-by-12 pixel designs included smiley faces, hearts of the intact and broken variety, a peace sign and zodiac symbols.