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Happy Birthday, Internet!

Posted by samzenpus on from the not-a-kid-anymore dept.

NobodyExpects writes "I'd like to wish a happy birthday to the Internet! Today marks its 40th birthday! In fall 1969, computers sending data between two California universities set the stage for the Internet, which became a household word in the 1990s. On September 2nd 1969, in a lab at the University of California, Los Angeles, two computers passed test data through a 15-foot gray cable. Stanford Research Institute joined the fledgling ARPANET network a month later; UC Santa Barbara and the University of Utah joined by years end, and the internet was born."

3 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Looking forward... by alain94040 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Before everyone starts posting stories about how they grew up on their Apple II using a 300 baud modem, let's have a forward looking discussion.

    The Internet as we define it today was born 40 years ago when two big computers were hooked up with a cable and exchanged data. Let me ask: what are the milestones that will matter 10, 30 years from now? Some guesses (pick your favorites):

    - wires, what wires?: The Internet goes wireless, with the invention of Wifi (circa 1991 - yes, really that old)

    - device, what device?: The Internet goes ubiquitous, we don't even have to carry those bulky iPhones around (circa ???)

    - telepresence: I see you, you see me, in HD, anytime, wherever you and I are. Maybe we can even shake hands. Definitely coming in the next decade.

    - oracle: all knowledge, all questions, answered all the time (that might change the way we think of our education system!)

    Who said innovation is slowing down? We are still in the stone age of the Internet.

    1. Re:Looking forward... by commodore64_love · · Score: 5, Interesting

      $1000 for an Apple II isn't that bad. Certainly cheaper than the first Macintosh at around $4000. Hmmm. I guess that's why most home hobbyists owned the cheaper $400 Ataris and $200 Commodores.

      Milestones:

      Killer App (circa 1993) - The hypertext web browser. Prior to its invention few people had a reason to get internet. They were satisfied to just keep using local bulletin boards, but once they saw the Mosaic web browser running on their friend's or their college's IBM or Mac or Amiga, they immediately wanted it.

      Carterphone decision (circa 1981) - It eliminated the monopoly AT&T had on the modem and brought competition. People always ask why is competition is needed? This is a perfect example. From the 1950s to the 1980s the only speeds available were 110 bit/s and 300 bit/s. The monopoly caused stagnation. After the breakup of AT&T multiple companies began a "speedwar" that rapidly moved speeds from 300 to 56000 in only ten years time. If AT&T still had a monopoly over 300 baud modems, the 90s's web explosion would have been impossible (too slow).

      Usenet/Fidonet (circa 1982) - They weren't originally part of the internet, but they helped set the standards. Most of the emoticons ;-) and abbreviations (ROTF-LOL) we use today originated on these early text-only forums. And they allowed people to communicate not just locally, but all around the world like today's web. And it was free (no long-distance charges).

      DSL/cable internet (circa 2000) - Allowed people to escape the 56k barrier and download videos, as well as streaming TV shows.

      That's about all I can come-up with. Most of the advancement has been gradual.

      --
      "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
    2. Re:Looking forward... by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Interesting

      No doubt Google can deliver far more information faster than ever before.

      This is not a bad thing -- IF you can figure out which information is worthless and which is the the right answer.

      That should be the motivation to learn enough to learn enough so that you can decide which Google results pass "the sniff test".

      Of course the topic of your query has a lot to do with how well you will be able to tell if the results are the real deal.

      I thought I was done, but that last sentence made me realize the "quick answer" future could either hasten or slow an "Idiocracy" future...

      --
      This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.