In 1995, the internet was commercialized in the US. Before that, there was the NSFnet in the early 1980s. Before that, there was the ARPAnet in the 1960s. The internet is the final product of the technological advancements and discoveries made through the creation of the NSFnet and ARPAnet.
The first time creating some kind of network to interconnect several computers was realistically thought of was in 1963, when the idea of a “Intergalactic Computer Network” (actual name). This evolved into the ARPAnet project. The ARPAnet was a project commissioned by DARPA in the DOD in 1967 and finally built in 1969. This was an attempt to make a communication system for the military and for use by large university administrations. The final version of the ARPAnet used certain packet switching and TCP/IP technology we use today (although we mainly only use IP today). Then, in 1968, the ARPAnet was combined with its british counterpart, the NPLnetwork reaching (at the time) impressive speeds of about 770 kb/s. By 1971, 15 major Universities and research institutions across the country were using the ARPAnet for communicating research findings.
After the success of the ARPAnet, the National Science Foundation decided to make their own version of an interconnected network of networks. This network was designed from the beginning using the same idea of packet switching that the ARPAnet was based on. This network was also designed for the sole purpose of sharing ideas and scientific breakthroughs. This network was used around the globe, but soon died as the new internet became open for public use.
The internet started to be used by the public in about 1989. In 1990, Tim-Berners Lee invented the World Wide Web. In 1991, the Commercial Internet Exchange started. This combined with the Web allowed people and corporations to start selling products online. By 1995, there were massive amounts of people using the internet and every year after that for a while, the internet saw about a 100% increase in its user count. By 2007, most telecommunication was done over the internet.
The internet has come a long way from a barely achievable idea of connecting people. Today, the majority of people’s lives are centered around it. It’s such an important part of the american way of life and society. For younger generations who grew up with all this technology, it’s difficult to think that none of it existed roughly 50 years ago.
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