When internet was born.
Internet has become a fundamental part of our daily lives. It allows us to communicate with people all over the world, access real-time information, and perform many other activities online. But how did Internet come about?
The idea of creating a network of computers that could share information dates back to the 1960s. At that time, the US Department of Defense had created a network called ARPANET to allow researchers from different universities and research institutions to share data and resources.
However, the modern Internet that we know today was not created until the 1990s. This new version of Internet allowed ordinary people to easily access information and communicate with each other through email and chat.
How does Internet work?
Internet is essentially a vast network of interconnected computers around the world. When you type in a web address or send an email, your device sends a request to the server hosting that website or email account. The server then sends the requested data back to your device through the Internet network.
To make this connection possible, each device uses a communication protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). This protocol allows devices to communicate with each other and exchange data.
- TCP controls the sending and receiving of data between devices.
- IP manages addressing and routing of data across the Internet.
In addition, there are many other technologies that make connecting to Internet possible, such as Wi-Fi, modems, and routers. These devices allow our computers and smartphones to connect to the Internet network.
The historical and technological context of the 1960s
The 1960s were a period of great social, cultural, and technological upheaval. This decade saw important changes that influenced people's lives around the world.
The Cold War and the Space Race
During this period, the United States and the Soviet Union were engaged in the Cold War, a sort of silent conflict that lasted from 1947 to 1991. The space race was one of the main battlefields between the two superpowers.
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite in history. This event sparked a real "space fever" in the United States, which responded with the Apollo space program.
The invention of the computer
The 1960s are also the period when the modern computer was born. In 1964, IBM launched System/360, the first mainframe to be compatible with software and hardware from different manufacturers.
During this period, the first high-level programming languages such as COBOL and FORTRAN were also developed. These languages made it easier for users to write programs without having to know machine language.
The creation of ARPANET
ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) was the precursor to the Internet. It was created by the United States Department of Defense in 1969 to create a computer network that could withstand a nuclear attack.
ARPANET used packet switching technology, which allowed for more efficient and reliable information transmission compared to circuit switching technology used at the time.
The creation of ARPA and the birth of the first computer network
In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik. This event marked the beginning of the space race between the United States and the USSR and prompted the American government to invest in new technologies.
As a result, in 1958, the United States Department of Defense created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), an agency tasked with developing new technologies for military use. ARPA had an unlimited budget and an ambitious mission: to develop technologies that could maintain US military superiority.
ARPA did not limit itself to military research. Throughout the 1960s, the agency funded numerous studies on topics such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and computer communication.
One of ARPA's most important projects was the creation of the first computer network. In 1969, a group of scientists led by Robert Taylor of MIT and Lawrence G. Roberts of ARPA created ARPANET, a computer network that connected four American universities.
ARPANET used the data transmission protocol TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which allowed computers to communicate with each other through a network of data packets. This protocol would become the basis of the modern Internet.
ARPANET was an immediate success and soon other universities and research centers joined the network. By 1972, ARPANET had already connected more than 20 nodes across the country.
ARPA continued to fund the development of new technologies to improve computer communication, and in the 1970s, the Telnet protocol (for accessing remote computers) and the FTP protocol (File Transfer Protocol) for file sharing were developed.
The evolution of ARPANET and the invention of TCP/IP protocol
After the creation of ARPANET, the network began to grow rapidly. By 1973, the number of hosts connected to the network had already grown to 40, and by 1981 this number had increased to over 200.
However, there was still a fundamental problem: each host on the network used its own protocol to communicate with other hosts. This meant that computers on ARPANET could not communicate with each other unless they used the same protocol.
To solve this problem, the TCP/IP protocol (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) was developed by a group of researchers led by Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn. The TCP/IP protocol provided a common standard for communication between computers on different networks.
The TCP/IP protocol soon became the de facto standard for computer networks and allowed interconnection between different networks, giving rise to the Internet as we know it today.
How does the TCP/IP protocol work?
The TCP/IP protocol is composed of two main parts: the IP protocol and the TCP protocol. The IP protocol handles routing of data packets through the Internet, while the TCP protocol ensures that data is delivered correctly to the recipient.
When a message is sent over the Internet, it is divided into smaller data packets. Each packet is then sent through the network and, thanks to the IP protocol, is routed to the recipient.
However, packets can arrive out of order or be lost during transmission. This is where the TCP protocol comes in: it ensures that all packets are delivered correctly to the recipient and in the correct order.
What made the TCP/IP protocol so important?
The TCP/IP protocol revolutionized computer communication in many ways. First, it allowed interconnection between different networks, creating a global network of computers accessible to anyone.
Secondly, the TCP/IP protocol paved the way for the creation of Internet services such as email, online chat, and websites. Without a common protocol for communication on the Internet, these services would have been impossible to create.
Finally, the TCP/IP protocol gave rise to the modern digital economy. Thanks to it, it is possible to shop online, work remotely and access a wide range of digital services that would have made ARPANET pioneers pale.
The global spread of Internet and its impact on modern society
The expansion of Internet in recent decades has had a huge impact on modern society. What was once considered a luxury for a few has now become a necessity for most people around the world.
Access to knowledge
Internet has opened the doors to a wide range of information and knowledge that was previously difficult to obtain. Today, with a simple click of the mouse, you can access millions of web pages containing information on any imaginable topic. This access to knowledge has allowed people to learn new things, develop skills and improve their education.
In addition, Internet has made it possible to create and share free educational content such as video tutorials, online courses and digital books. These materials are easily accessible to anyone with an Internet connection, making education more accessible and affordable.
Global communication
Internet has also revolutionized the way people communicate with each other. Before the advent of Internet, global communications were limited to paper letters or expensive satellite phones. Today, thanks to instant messaging platforms, email and social media, people can communicate in real time with anyone, anywhere in the world.
This has opened up new opportunities for businesses that can now easily reach a global audience. Furthermore, global communication has allowed people to connect with different cultures and learn from them. This has led to greater understanding and tolerance among people of different nationalities and religions.
E-commerce
Internet has also revolutionized the way people shop. Today, thanks to e-commerce, it is possible to buy anything online, from shoes to groceries, without ever having to leave your home. This has made shopping more convenient and cost-effective for consumers and has allowed businesses to reach customers all over the world.
In addition, e-commerce has created new opportunities for entrepreneurs who can start an online business with much lower initial costs than a traditional brick-and-mortar store.
Conclusions
In summary, Internet has had a huge impact on modern society. It has changed the way people access knowledge, communicate with each other, and shop. Moreover, it has created new opportunities for education, commerce, and entrepreneurship. The global spread of Internet has been one of the major transformations of our time and will continue to have a significant impact on society in the future.
Michael Anderson - Software Engineer
My name is Michael Anderson, and I work as a computer engineer in Midland, Texas.
My passion is sharing my knowledge in various areas, and my purpose is to make education accessible to everyone. I believe it is essential to explain complex concepts in a simple and interesting way.
With GlobalHowTo, I aim to motivate and enrich the minds of those who want to learn.
