How the Internet Came to Be | Part 2

TL;DR

The internet went from being accessible only by a few universities and corporations to becoming a human right for all, with commercial networks and ISPs playing a significant role in its development.

Transcript

if you have a smartphone you probably have access to the internet almost everywhere you go and being able to access what is basically the sum total of human knowledge whenever you want that's a new thing pretty cool last year the United Nations actually declared uncensored internet access a human right that deserves protection but it actually took ... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 The internet started as a restricted network used for research and collaboration among universities and corporations.
• ♿ Companies selling access to standalone networks played a role in expanding public internet access in the 1970s.
• 🔒 The transition from exclusive networks to publicly accessible internet involved connecting private networks to government-funded networks.
• 👻 The emergence of ISPs in 1989 allowed individuals to connect to the internet, although definitions of the first ISP vary.

Questions & Answers

Q: When did the internet become publicly accessible?

The internet started becoming accessible to the public in the 1970s, with companies selling access to standalone networks.

Q: Were private networks initially allowed on the internet?

Initially, private networks were not allowed on the internet, as it was government-run and primarily used for research. However, in 1988, private networks were connected to the NSFnet, allowing limited commercial traffic.

Q: Who were the first internet service providers (ISPs)?

The first ISPs emerged around 1989, with companies like The World and some Australian providers claiming to be the first. However, defining the true first ISP is debated.

Q: How did internet access work in the early days?

Internet access in the early days involved dial-up connections via phone lines, where computers would establish connections through modems.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In the 1970s, companies started selling access to standalone networks, allowing users to perform various online activities.

• Government-funded networks restricted commercial traffic, but in 1988, private networks were connected to the NSFnet, allowing for commercial emails.

• The first internet service providers (ISPs) emerged in 1989, connecting people to the internet, although definitions of the first ISP vary.

• Dial-up connections via phone lines were the norm, with slow speeds and no web browsing until Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989.