An animated history of the world wide web | Mashable

Summary

The history of the internet began with ARPANET in 1969, evolving into the modern internet with the introduction of email in 1972 and TCP in 1973. By the 1980s, independent networks emerged, and in 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. The 1990s saw the internet go public, the launch of the first search engine, and the first internet-enabled cell phone. By 2012, Facebook reached 1 billion users, reflecting the internet's rapid growth and impact.

Takeaways

• 🚀 **1969 ARPANET Inception**: The first data transmission between computers marked the beginning of ARPANET, which would evolve into the modern Internet.
• 🌐 **1971 Network Expansion**: By the end of 1971, ARPANET had grown to 15 nodes across the U.S., indicating the rapid expansion of the network.
• 💌 **1972 Email Introduction**: Email was introduced, revolutionizing digital communication and becoming a cornerstone of online interaction.
• 🛠️ **1974 TCP Creation**: The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) was established, defining how information is transmitted across the network.
• 🌍 **1970s International Connections**: ARPANET expanded internationally, connecting to England and Norway, demonstrating the Internet's global reach.
• 🏛️ **1980s Independent Networks**: Various U.S. government-based networks emerged, including those from the Department of Energy, NASA, and the computer science community.
• 🌐 **1989 WWW Invention**: Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN, standardizing how different networks interact.
• 📡 **1990 Public Internet Access**: The first dial-up service provider was launched, allowing the general public direct access to the Internet.
• 🔍 **1993 Search Engine Launch**: The first search engine was introduced, making the web searchable and reducing reliance on indexes.
• 📱 **1996 Nokia's Internet Phone**: Nokia released the first Internet-enabled cell phone, integrating the Internet into mobile technology.
• 🌟 **2000 Web Growth**: The web reached 1 billion unique pages, showcasing the exponential growth of online content.
• 👥 **2012 Facebook Milestone**: Facebook reached 1 billion users, highlighting the Internet's social impact and widespread adoption.

Q & A

What was the significance of the first data transmission between computers in 1969?

The first data transmission in 1969 marked the beginning of ARPANET, which was a precursor to the modern Internet. This event was significant as it laid the foundation for the development of a global network of interconnected computers.

How many nodes were connected to ARPANET by the end of 1971?

By the end of 1971, there were 15 different nodes across the U.S. connected to ARPANET.

What was introduced in 1972 that would become a fundamental part of Internet communication?

In 1972, electronic mail, or email, was introduced, which allowed for digital communication between users on the network.

What protocol was created in 1973 to establish how information flows between computers?

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) was created in 1973 to establish the rules for how information is transmitted and routed between computers on the network.

When were the first international connections to ARPANET established, and in which countries?

The first international connections to ARPANET were established in 1973 in England and Norway.

What was the role of the National Science Foundation in the development of computer networks in the 1980s?

In the 1980s, the National Science Foundation funded the development of CSNET, a network for the computer science community, which contributed to the growth of independent networks across the country.

Who invented the World Wide Web, and where did this invention take place?

Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989 at the CERN Physics Laboratory in Switzerland.

When did the Internet become accessible to the general public, and where was the first service provider located?

The Internet became accessible to the general public in 1990, with the launch of the first dial-up service provider in Brookline, Massachusetts.

What was the significance of the first search engine launched in 1993?

The first search engine, launched in 1993, made the web searchable and reduced the need for manually maintained indexes, greatly enhancing the usability and accessibility of the Internet.

How many Americans were online by 1994, and what does this indicate about the growth of the Internet?

By 1994, there were 11 million Americans online, indicating a rapid growth in Internet adoption and its increasing importance in daily life.

What milestone did Nokia achieve in 1996 with the release of the first Internet-enabled cell phone?

In 1996, Nokia released the first Internet-enabled cell phone, marking a significant step towards the integration of mobile technology with Internet connectivity.

What does the growth to 1 billion unique web pages by 2000 signify about the Internet's expansion?

The growth to 1 billion unique web pages by 2000 signifies the rapid expansion of content and information available on the Internet, reflecting its increasing role as a global information repository.

What does the milestone of 1 billion unique users on Facebook by 2012 say about the Internet's social impact?

Reaching 1 billion unique users on Facebook by 2012 highlights the Internet's profound social impact, demonstrating how it has become integral to social interaction and community building on a global scale.