The internet: Who invented it and why? The global network of information, services, and communication we take for granted today didn't have a single inventor. Instead, it represents the culmination of the efforts of many talented individuals. Here’s a quick overview of the origins of the internet and the key figures responsible for the net as we know it today.
Why Was the Internet Created?
The internet began as Project ARPANET in the 1960s, when the U.S. Department of Defense wanted a decentralized communication system of interconnected computers capable of surviving a nuclear attack. ARPANET initially linked government agencies, defense contractors, and universities. Researchers quickly realized the potential of ARPANET as an information-sharing tool, and the network gradually evolved into the internet.
Key Figures in the Internet’s Development
- Computer scientist J.C.R. Licklider envisioned a global computer network for information sharing in the early 1960s. His early ideas laid the groundwork for the concept of the internet.
- In 1964, Leonard Kleinrock proposed using “queueing theory” to handle delays in message switching between computer networks. In the 1970s, he developed his theories into the practice of packet switching, which allows for the efficient transmission of data between networks. Without packet switching, the internet as we know it would not be possible.
- Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn are often referred to as the fathers of the internet. In the 1970s, Cerf and Kahn developed the TCP/IP protocol, which laid the foundation for computer-to-computer communication and the formation of a network of connected networks.
- 1989 saw the creation of the World Wide Web by British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee. Unlike the internet, which is a global network of connected computers, the WWW is a service that accesses the network to share information through websites and hyperlinks. Berners-Lee invented the concept of websites, the HTML language used to build them, and the first web browser, making internet access possible for the average user.
Internet Benefits & Options
Today, we access the internet through various methods. Fiber cables deliver internet access to countless homes and businesses across a city while satellite internet allows people to connect in even the most remote rural regions. We enjoy a host of benefits which would not be possible without the internet, including:
- Information and Education: An online connection provides unlimited learning opportunities. Anyone with a connection can access online courses, video tutorials, educational materials, and virtual libraries.
- Communication: Friends and family can stay connected through video calls, instant messaging, social media, and email, regardless of the distance that separates them.
- Scheduling: Simplify your life with online apps and calendars to manage your home and work appointments. Share calendar apps with other family members for convenience.
- E-Commerce: The internet opens up a global marketplace of stores and services.
- Finance: Online connections allow you to pay bills, transfer funds, manage bank accounts, and invest from the comfort of your own home.
- Entertainment: Stream an endless selection of music and movies, play online games, and download ebooks and audiobooks onto your devices.
- Remote Work: Enjoy the convenience of working from home or any location with an internet connection.
- Economic Growth: Businesses can expand their reach to a global audience, increasing their earnings and accessing potential new partnerships.
- Smart Device Access: Control your home’s smart devices remotely and receive real-time alerts and push notifications from motion detectors, smart thermometers, and security cameras.
Why Choose Satellite Internet?
Remote rural locations often lack the physical infrastructure needed to connect to the internet and reap the benefits listed above. Fortunately, Hughesnet® has the answer. Our satellite internet service can connect your home from anywhere in the contiguous United States, no matter where you choose to live.
Why Choose Hughesnet?
- Availability: Ideal for rural, remote, or underserved areas without cable or fiber.
- Quick setup: No need for underground wiring; setup is fast, straightforward, and completed by our professional installation team.
- Weather impact: Satellite internet operates independently of local infrastructure, offering a quick return to connected service after natural disasters or power outages.
- Independent of phone lines: You can enjoy satellite internet without the need for DSL phone lines or a landline.
- Improved speeds: Ongoing advances in satellite technology bring faster speeds and lower latency.
- Backup internet solution: A useful secondary connection for redundancy in critical operations.
Find an internet plan that works for you with Hughesnet, and enjoy the benefits and options that come with a high-speed internet plan!
