noted that the first dot-com domain registered was Symbolics.com on March 15, 1985 (a good trivia question to ask around the bar at the next domain convention). Raphael added, "The site belonged to a computer manufacturer 

known for its Open Genera Lisp and Macsyma computer algebra systems. Symbolics declared bankruptcy in the early 90s but is still under operation with new owners. That means Symbolics.com is the Internet's oldest still-functioning dot-com domain - and, I must say, it still looks like it was designed in 1985."

Only nine more .com domains were registered in the 12 months following the registration of Symbolics.com. The ten oldest domains include four 3-letter domains (a category that remains popular to this day). Those historic ten names are: 

When you consider that any name could have been registered in those early days, it is a bit surprising what was NOT registered - but back then no one had an inkling how valuable domain names would become a little over a decade later.  You can review PC World's entire 100 Oldest .Com Domains list here. 
(Posted Dec. 23, 2008)