Although the first blockchain was implemented in 2008, the history of this concept goes back to 1990.
The easiest way to understand a blockchain is to think of it as a database.
First blockchain was developed by Satoshi Nakamoto. That is the Bitcoin, most well-known cryptocurrency. All Bitcoin transactions from 2009 to date are listed on the Bitcoin Blockchain.
Blockchain applications are rapidly being developed by companies and trying to solve real-world problems using blockchain.