History Of The Internet — Introduction to Information

History Of The Internet :

Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn developed the first description of the TCP protocols (covered more deeply in the Introduction to Networking lesson) in 1973. ... The first TCP/IP-wide area network was created on January 1, 1983 when all hosts on the ARPANET were switched over from the older protocols to TCP/IP.

By definition the Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol. But, how did it come to be this technology that is so popular and so widely used around the world? Was it always so large and extensive, filled with information about just about anything you could possibly think of accessible from almost anywhere, anytime? The answer is no and its important to understand where it all came from to understand how to utilize it to its fullest potential now.

Creation
The Internet origin comes from a military project. The Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) program consisted of networked country-wide radar systems together for the first time. This was created around 1958 as part of an attempt to regain the lead in technology from the Soviet Union who had recently launched Sputnik. J.C.R. Licklider was selected to head the committee which controlled the SAGE project. He envisioned universal networking as a unifying human revolution.

SAGE Computer Room :

Today’s Internet :

Aside from the complex physical connections that make up its infrastructure, the Internet is facilitated by bi- or multi-lateral commercial contrracts and technical specifications or protocols that describe how to exchange data over the network. Indeed, the Internet has severely matured since its birth many years ago. Today almost 1.5 billion people use the Internet. That’s almost a quarter of the entire world (a lot of people).

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the authority that coordinates the assignment of unique identifiers on the Internet, including domain names, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and protocol port and parameter numbers. A globally unified namespace is essential for the Internet to function. Because the Internet is a distributed network comprising many volunatirly interconnected networks, the Internet, as such, has no governing body.

ICANN Headquarters