Lecture Notes: History and Development of the Internet

Introduction

• Smartphones & Internet Access: Ubiquity of internet access through smartphones.
• UN Declaration: Internet access declared a human right by the UN.

Early History of the Internet

• 1969: Internet began with four computers in the Western US.
• 1987: Expanded to a global network of over 20,000 computers.
• Access Restrictions: Initially limited to specific universities and corporations for research purposes.

Commercialization of the Internet

• 1970s Networks: Companies began selling access to standalone networks (e.g., CompuServe, Micronet).
• Limitations: These networks were isolated and not connected to the broader internet.
• ARPANET: Government restrictions prevented commercial traffic, focusing solely on research.

Transition to Public Access

• NSFNET: In 1990, NSFNET replaced ARPANET as the internet's backbone.
• Commercial Email: By 1988-1989, commercial emails were possible, marking the beginning of ISP development.
• First ISPs: Emergence of ISPs around 1989-1992, offering varying levels of internet connectivity.

Technological Challenges

• Dial-Up Internet: Required phone lines and was notoriously slow.
  • Modems: Translated digital to analog signals.
• Frequency Limitations: Phone lines not designed for high-frequency data transmission.

The World Wide Web

• Pre-Web Internet: Internet existed before the web, focused on file sharing and remote access.
• Tim Berners-Lee: Developed the web in 1989 to improve information navigation.
  • Hypertext: Use of hyperlinks to flatten the structure of information retrieval.
  • HTTP and WWW: Protocols and structures for web navigation.

Evolution of Web Browsers

• Web Browsers: Emergence of programs like Netscape Navigator, paving the way for modern browsers.
• Public Web: The first public web release in 1993, greatly increasing internet users.

Internet Boom and Bust

• 1990s Explosion: Surge in internet-connected devices and investment in startups.
• Dot-Com Bubble: Burst around the turn of the millennium, leading to the rise of giants like Google and Facebook.

Conclusion

• Future Discussions: Further exploration of how the internet transformed post-bubble to its current state.
• Support and Subscription: Encouragement to support content creation via platforms like Patreon.