History of the Internet

Electronic communication has had an ongoing progression dating back to the invention of the telegraph and the telephone. With the invention of the Internet, communication took an expansive leap forward. Not only does the Internet enable interaction on a wide scale through the use of computers, but it also enables broadcasting and the widespread sharing of information on a global scale.

Events Leading to the Internet

During the 1950s, the U.S. Department of the Defense was researching possible ways to use computers for communicating information. An early attempt at networking and communication was called the Arpanet. During the 1970s, the Arpanet connected four points in the United States, and researchers worked on using it to move messages between these points.

The Early Internet

The Internet’s official birthdate is January 1, 1983, with the connection of all networks via a universal language, known as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, the communication language of the Internet. Initially, universities and the military were the principal users of the Internet, and email communication became popular. Computer advances that continued throughout the remainder of the 1980s contributed to advances in the Internet.

Internet Evolution

The term “World Wide Web” was born in 1990, and the first Web pages were created in 1991. The mp3 file format and webcams were also born in 1991. The Netscape Web browser was released in 1994, and commercialization of the Internet began in earnest by 1995. Google came on board in 1998, and Web development took off as investors jumped in to get a piece of the dot-com boom that was occurring. By the year 2000, the bubble had burst and many companies closed their virtual doors after huge losses. Web 2.0 entered the scene in 2004 with the introduction of new software applications that would make using the Internet easier and more interactive. With the addition of mobile connectivity via smartphones, the Internet continues to evolve and expand with each passing year.

• Brief History of the Internet: The Internet Society offers a thorough discussion of how the Internet began and its evolution through the years since its inception.
• A Brief History of the Internet: The University System of Georgia shares information about the origins of the Internet, including the infamous date of January 1, 1983, known as the Internet’s birthdate.
• Quick Look at the Early History of the Internet: Take a trip back through time to learn about President Eisenhower’s involvement with defense communications, which began the work that would result in the Internet.
• How it All Began: A Brief History of the Internet: Learn about the political events that had an impact on the development of the Internet in this report.
• Personal History/Biography: The Birth of the Internet: This report published by the University of California looks at one man behind the evolution of data networking technology.
• What is the Internet: The University of North Carolina presents an overview of the Internet, complete with definitions and a timeline.
• Overview of Internet History: Explore technological milestones that contributed to the birth of the Internet.
• The History and Growth of the Internet: Since its inception in 1983, the Internet has evolved and expanded significantly to become what it is currently.
• History of the Internet and World Wide Web: With roots extending back over 50 years in history, the evolution of the Internet has been an ongoing progression.
• A Short History of the Internet and Web: The Arpanet, circa 1969, was a precursor to the Internet, as explained in this report published by Harding University.
• The Internet and World Wide Web: Review an overview of the Internet and how it works in this report.
• A Brief History of the Internet and Related Networks: This overview of the Internet includes information about its evolution through the early 1990s.
• Internet History: View pictures while you read about the beginnings of the Internet that occurred during the 1960s.
• A Brief History of the Internet: This report details the origins of the Internet, including information about its precursor, Arpanet.
• The Birth of the Internet: The National Science Foundation hosts interactive material that enables you to explore the origins of the Internet.
• World Wide Web Timeline: The Pew Research Internet Project offers a timeline between 1989 and 2014, detailing key events and the advances of the Internet.
• Timeline of Internet: Explore significant events that occurred prior to 1969, which shaped the Internet used today.

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