History of the Internet Origins Late 1950s invention

History of the Internet

Origins • Late 1950’s: invention of the modem: modulator-demodulator or digital to analog • ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) formed in 1958. • ARPA created to bolster national defense, but also as a way to carry out open ended research. (Eisenhower believed in science. )

The Development of Ideas. • Joseph Licklider conceived the vision for the Internet: he researched time-sharing, so that several users could access one computer. He also contacted universities and research centers to interest them in connecting all of their computers. • In the 1960’s, Ted Nelson developed the idea of hyperlinks.

Early Innovations • In 1964, American Airlines develop SABRE, the first computerized Airline Reservation System. • In 1969, ARPAnet, the first multicomputer network was created. There were four sites: UC-Santa Barbara, UCLA, SRI International, and the University of Utah. By 1971, 19 other sites have joined.

Early Internet • In 1971, the first e-mail is sent with a program called CPYNET (“copynet”). • In 1972, ARPAnet exhibited at International Conference on Computer Communications. • In 1973, PLATO was developed which is an early model for threaded online discussions. Talkomatic/Personal Notes/Group Notes • In 1975, the MITS Altair 8800 first personal computer is invented and sold.

Internet reaches the Public • In 1975, news stories lead to the public having general knowledge of the ARPAnet. • In 1978, the first message bulletin board system is created. • In 1979, first MUD (multiuser dimension or multiuser domain or multiuser dungeon) is created at Essex University, which is linked to ARPAnet by 1980. (text only) • USENET created in 1979 by students at Duke and University of North Carolina. The resulting discussions are called “newsgroups. ”

Further Advancements • In 1981, Ted Nelson’s Xanadu. A hypertext database is developed (but never marketed), but creates the basis for the web. • In 1984, the Apple Macintosh debuts with a graphical interface. (Xerox PARC)

Modern Internet I • By the late 1980’s, the Internet had 60, 000 members, still mostly associated with the military, college or corporations. • In 1986, NSFnet is created (National Science Foundation) to help college and research institutions without the funds to be members of APRAnet. In 1989, there are over 100, 000 sites. • Internet worm released at Cornell by Robert Morris to attack Sendmail. Duplicates itself on computers and crashes 10% of computers connected to internet.

Modern Internet II • In 1983, Fido. Net (a BBS) spreads the popularity of BBSs and bring networking to elementary and secondary schools. Freenets (first in Cleveland) are accessible to anyone with computer and modem. Provides e-mail, discussion boards, chat, and local information • The Well (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link: “You own your own words. ”) and AOL were formed as BBSs. AOL was meant to be easy from the start.

The Web is Weaved • In 1991, Tim Berners-Lee, at the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, created HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol), HTML (hypertext markup language) and URL (universal resource location). The whole system was named the world wide web. • Commercial traffic could use the Internet, but the Internet couldn’t “come to them. ” The acceptable use policy is modified in 1992. By 1995, the NSFnet is dissolved as commercial networks take over most of the Internet traffic.

Internet Tools • Gopher (1992) allows users to search for information, creating an index of sources. But, the web is quickly preferred. • As the web takes off, browsers are written. The first were called Erwise, Midas, Cello, etc. . These led to Mosaic, which led to Netscape and Internet Explorer. (Now: Mosaic is back, as is Macintosh’s Safari. )

Early Web • In 1994, World Wide Web Consortium is created to promote web. (standards and specifications) • In 1994, shopping malls, banks, and radio stations all come to the web. Yahoo! is created. • In 1997, AOL loses a class-action suit after offering unlimited internet access and not able to meet expectations (busy signals and crashes). • Late 1990’s: start-up web companies.

How It Works Now • Loose organization of networks. • Government still pays for some of the backbone. There is an Internet 2 for use by some universities (very fast. ) • ISP (Internet Service Providers) provide monthly internet access.