In the present times, Internet has become almost indispensable in our lives. Not only does it help us in our professional lives to make business smoother, but it also enhances the quality of our personal lives by helping us stay connected with our loved ones. Right from a kid to an adult, everyone needs Internet for various things, ranging from searching of information, to communicating with people across the globe, making business transactions, sharing of data etc.
But in this technologically advanced world, where we are so used to getting things done with just the click of a button, how many of us have actually bothered to know the history behind all of this, and how all this started? Well, its time we know about it.
The Early Inventions
When the Cold War was at its peak, and the Soviet Union had just launched its satellite Sputnik, people from the United States wanted to develop something in response to it, especially in the field of Computer Science. An organization by the name of Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), then came up with the technology to connect multiple computers with each other, with the help of a protocol, and called it ARPANET. Soon after, other similar networks such as the NPL in UK, Mark I, Telenet, and CYCLADES etc. got interconnected, and started off the wave, which was to later bring the whole world closer with the help of protocols connecting millions of computers from all over.
The Standardization Process
It was somewhere in 1982 that the term Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) was standardized and with millions of networks getting interconnected for educational and research purposes, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) came into existence around the 1980s. Commercialization of the Internet happened in 1995, when NSFNET was decommissioned, and post that, the developments have been enormous.
Massive Developments
Electronic Mail, or email was a breakthrough invention, which helped people from all over the world to connect with each other via Internet, replacing the conventional postal system. What followed was a wave of other developments, such as Instant Messaging, Voice Chatting, Video Chatting, Internet Calling, Streaming of Live Content, File Transfer, Cross-Platform compatibility and access etc., making Internet what it is to us today.
All of these developments made the world shrink, by letting everyone get connected in the virtual space. Not only have things speeded up by replacing the conventional methods of business, but have also become more effective and reliable.
Some of the relatively new developments that are creating a rage, and are coming in very handy are online shopping, creation of blogs and discussion forums, downloading and sharing of content, and social networking etc.
Wireless Internet too is a big development in the recent times, helping people to use Internet on-the-go, without being bound to the conventional system of computers with cords. Following on this, there is facility for accessing Internet on plenty of smaller devices, such as mobile phones, tablets etc.
Go ahead and make good use of all that wonderful Internet has to offer to us!