system
A chat on subreddit /r/wallstreetbets
human
Robinhood isn't the first to offer free trades and IMO it has never been complicated. A lot of services offered a certain number of trades free each month. 
  
 There is a penalty to withdraw early on a IRA. But for the average person you shouldn't be actively trading, it's stupid and basically gambling.  
  
 as long as you acknowledge them as ale man trading single stocks that you're just gambling it's fine but that's what it is.

gpt
I trade. Sort of. More long holds in biotech, but I am a scientist and use my knowledge of science and drug discovery to invest in decent stocks. But I get your point. There may have been people before them to offer it, but it's the first that seems popular and just a simple app. I think it gets more people involved in investments than  before.